Once I had a garden fair:
Willow and rue now grow
With blossoms rich beyond compare:
Willow and rue now grow
Where are the flowers I planted there
The roses that entwined?
Where are the flowers I planted there?
Gone with the cold, cold wind:
Willow and rue now grow
I gathered flowers everyday:
Willow and rue now grow
Now they've faded all away:
Willow and rue now grow
And on the earth the fallen leaves
Are lying in decay
Withered petals and broken stems
Around my garden lay:
Willow and rue now grow
Once I sat 'neath the tall oak tree:
Willow and rue now grow
Now it's the withy branch for me:
Willow and rue now grow
Where is the oak and the fine elm tree
That in my garden grew?
All come tumbling to the ground
When the bitter wind did blow:
Willow and rue now grow
Two songbirds in my garden sang:
Willow and rue now grow
The echoes with their voices rang:
Willow and rue now grow
The sweetest songbird you ever heard
Has taken wings and flown
Leaving one small bird behind
He sings all alone:
Willow and rue now grow
Willow and rue now grow