As I was walking out one day All in the merry month of May The birds did sing and the lambs did play I met an old man by the way The birds did sing and the lambs did play I met an old man by the way His head was bald, and his beard was grey His cloak was of a myrtle shade I asked him what strange countryman Or what strange place did he belong I asked him what strange countryman Or what strange place did he belong "My name is Death, oh can't you see? Lords, Dukes and Earls bow down to me And you are one of those branches three And so fair maid you must go with me And you are one of those branches three And so fair maid you must go with me" "I'll give you gold and I'll give you pearl I'll give you costly robes to wear I'll give you all I have in store If you can let me live some more I'll give you all I have in store If you can let me live some more" Oh lady lay your robes aside No longer glory in your pride And so, fair maid, make no delay Your time is come, and you must away And so, fair maid, make no delay Your time is come, and you must away" And not long after this fair maid died "Write on my grave," this lady cried "Here lies a poor and distressed maid Whom lately Death, He hath betrayed Here lies a poor and distressed maid Whom lately Death, He hath betrayed"