For a blacksmith courted me Nine months and better He fairly won my heart Wrote me a letter With his hammer in his hand He looked so clever And if I was with my love I'd live forever But where has my love gone With his cheeks like roses He is gone across the sea Gathering primroses And I'm afraid the shining sun Will burn and scorch his beauty And if I was with my love I'd do love's duty Strange news is come to town Strange news is carried Strange news flies up and down That my love is married Oh well, I wish them both much joy Though they don't hear me And if I was with my love I'd do love's duty What did you promise me When you lay beside me You said you'd marry me And not deny me If I said I'd marry you It was only for to try you So bring your witness love And I'll not deny you Oh, witness have I none Save God almighty And may he reward you well For your slighting of me Her lips grew pale and white And it made her poor heart tremble For to think she had loved one And he proved deceitful For a blacksmith courted me Nine months and better He fairly won my heart Wrote me a letter With his hammer in his hand He looked so clever And if I was with my love I'd live forever