As I roved out one bright May morning
To view the purple heather and flowers gay
Who should I spy, but my own true love
As she sat by yon willow tree.
I took off my hat and I did salute her,
I did salute her most courageously.
When she turned around, and the tears fell from her
Saying, "False young man, you've deluded me.
And the diamond ring I behold I gave to you,
A diamond ring to wear on your right hand.
But the vows you made, love, you went and broke them
And you wed the lassie that has the land."
"If I wed the lassie who has the land, my love,
It's that I'll rue 'till the day I die.
When misfortune falls, sure no man can shun it.
I was a blind fool was I'
Now at night when I go to my bed of slumber
The thoughts of my true love run in my mind.
When I turn around to embrace my darling,
instead of gold, sure 'tis brass I find.
And I wish the queen would call home her armies
From the West Indies, America and Spain.
And every man to his wedded woman
Oh in hopes that I might be with thee again."