We once were like two turtle doves
On a bough up in the blue
I never knew what love could do
My dear, 'til I met you
Here I lie on feather bed
Feathers from the wing
Oh, feathers to caress me now
But none to hear me sing
It is a cold and wintry night
That I must lie alone
My turtle dove has taken flight
Oh, will he ne'er come home, come home
Oh, will he ne'er come home?
And when he left, my turtle dove
Sang "fare thee well a while"
He promised he'd return to me
If it took ten thousand miles
Ten thousand miles is a very long while
With you not here with me
And though I will lament you, love
My tears you will not see
Oh, do you see, the turtle dove
Who flies from vine to vine?
She's a-looking for her own true love
As I have looked for mine
And do you hear the turtle dove
In yonder mulberry tree?
She's a-weepin' for her own true love
As I have wept for thee
So fair thou art, my bonny lad
So deep in love am I
That I'll ne'er love another
'Til the stars fall from the sky
The sea, it could run dry, my dear
The rocks could melt in the sun
But I'll ne'er love another lad
'Til all these things be done
The blackest crow you've ever seen
Will turn its feathers white
If ever I forget you, dear
The day will turn to night
And hills will fly, my turtle dove
The raging billows burn
And fire will freeze and snow will rise
The elements will turn
And if he ne'er returns to me
My heart will stop thereof
Place two turtle doves upon my chest
To show I died for love
Two turtle doves upon my chest
To show I died for love
We once were like two turtle doves
On a bough up in the blue
I never knew what love could do
My dear, 'til I loved you