As I roved out on a bright May morning,

To view the meadows and flowers gay,

Whom should I spy but my own true lover

As she sat under yon willow tree.

I tipped my hat and I did salute her,

I did salute her most courageously,

When she turned around well the tears fell from her,

Sayin' False young man, you have deluded me.

A diamond ring I owned I gave you,

A diamond ring to wear on your right hand,

But the vows you made, love, you went and broke them

And married the lassie that had the land.

If I'd married the lassie that had the land, my love,

It's that I'll rue till the day I die,

When misfortune falls sure no man can shun it,

I was blindfolded I'll ne'er deny.

Now at nights when I go to my bed of slumber,

The thoughts of my true love run in my mind,

And turning round to embrace my darling,

Instead of gold sure ‘tis brass I find.

I wish the Queen would call home her army,

From the West Indies, Amerikay and Spain,

And every man to his wedded woman,

In hopes that you and I will meet again.