|
Down in yon valley there was a fine wedding |
|
Oh, but the bride she had proved to be unkind |
|
When looking back on their bygone lover |
|
Her former true lover came in at the time |
|
Supper being ended and all things over |
|
It was proposed to sing the bride a song |
|
The song it was sung by yon bygone lover |
|
And unto the bride this song it did belong |
|
Many a one has been seven years absent |
|
Many a one has returned again |
|
But I have been only three years absent |
|
And an inconstant lover to me ye have been |
|
Oh, how could you sit at another man's table |
|
How could you drink of another man's wine |
|
How could you lie in another man's arms |
|
When often and often you said you'd lie in mine |
|
The bride being seated at the end of the table |
|
Every word was spoken, she marked it full weel |
|
To bear up the company no more was she able |
|
So unto the bridegroom these words she did tell |
|
I'm going to ask of you, to ask of you a favour |
|
This being the first one you've granted to me |
|
You'll grant me the sign if you'll lie with my mammy |
|
And aye, aye and after and I'll lie with ye |
|
In asking and asking this favour was granted |
|
Sighing and sobbing she went tae her bed |
|
But early, oh early the very next morning |
|
This bonnie young lassie was found lying dead |
|
Surprising, surprising, to all ye young women |
|
To see one so early cut off in her bloom |
|
Tonight ye may be walking and wi' sweethearts talking |
|
And early in the morning be cold in the tomb |
|
First I'll put on a green coat of velvet |
|
This I will wear for one month or two |
|
And then I'll put on the green and the yellow |
|
And aye, aye and after the orange and the blue |
|
If anyone do ask me, do ask me the reason |
|
Why I do wear such a costly array |
|
I'll tell the reason, the very plain reason |
|
Because that my true love lies cold in the clay |
