Oh, once my true love courted me And stole away my liberty. He gained my heart with a free good will And I'll confess I love him still. Oh, there's an ale-house in this town, Where my love goes and sits him down; He takes this strange girl on his knee And isn't that a grief to me. Oh, there's a bird in yon churchyard, They say he's blind and cannot see; I wish it had been the same with me Before I kept my love's company.
A bold young farmer courted me He gained my heart and my liberty. He's gained my heart with a free good will And I must confess that I love him still.