I once loved a lass and I loved her so well
And I hated all others who spoke of her ill.
And now she's rewarded me well for my love,
For she's gone and she's wed another.
And I saw my love up to the church go
With bride and bridesmaidens she made a fine show.
And I followed on with my heart full of woe
For she's gone and she's wed another.
Oh, when that I saw my love in the church stand,
With the ring on her finger and the glove in her hand,
I jumped in betwixt them and kissed the false bride,
Saying: "Adieu to false loves for ever."
Oh, when that I saw my love out the church go,
With the bridesmen and bridesmaids they made a fine show,
Then I followed after with my heart full of woe,
For I was the man that ought to had her.
Oh, when that I saw my love sat down to meat,
I sat myself by her but nothing could eat.
I thought her sweet company better than wine,
Although she was wed to some other.
I saw my love as she sat doon to dine.
I sat doon beside her and poured the wine.
And I thought of the lassie that should have been mine,
Now she's gone and she's wed another.
All men in yon forest they asked of me,
"How many strawberries grow in the salt sea?"
And I answered them with a tear in my e'e,
"How many ships sail in the forest?"
Oh dig me a grave and dig it sae deep,
And cover it over with wee flowers sae sweet.
And I lay me doon for to tak' a long sleep
And maybe in time I'll forget her.
Go dig me a grave both long, wide, and deep,
And strew it all over with flowers so sweet,
That I may lay down there and take my long sleep,
And that's the best way to forget her.
So they dug him a grave and they dug it sae deep
And they covered it over with wee flowers sae sweet
And he lay him doon for to tak' a long sleep
And maybe in time he'll forget her.