(Trad.
Arr., Karan Casey/Caoimhín Vallely)
I once loved a lass and I loved her so well,
I hated all others who spoke of her ill,
But now she's rewarded me well for my love,
For she's gone to be wed to another.
I watched as my love did to the church go,
With bride and bride-maidens she made a fine show,
And I followed her on with a heart full of woe,
To see my love be wed to another
To see my love be wed to another
I watched as my love did sit down to dine,
I sat down beside her and poured out the wine,
And I drank to the wee lass that should have been mine,
For now she is wed to another.
Oh stop says the groomsman if you take my word
Would you venture your life on the point of a sword
For courting too slowly you have lost this fair maiden
Begone you will never enjoy her
Begone you will never enjoy her
The lads of yon forest, they ask it of me,
How many strawberries grow round the salt sea,
But I answer them back with a tear in my eye,
How many ships sail in the forest?
Oh, dig me a grave all large wide and deep,
And cover it over with wild flowers sweet,
And lay me down gently for to take a long sleep,
For that’s the best way to forget her.
So we dug him a grave all large wide and deep,
And covered it over with wild flowers sweet,
And we laid him down gently for to take his long sleep,
And maybe by now he's forgotten.
