One morning, one morning, one morning in May
I spied a young couple, they were making their way
One was a maiden so bright and so fair
The other a soldier and a brave volunteer
Good morning, good morning, good morning, said he
Where are you going, my pretty lady?
I'm going out walking on the banks of the sea
To see the waters glide, hear the nightingale sing
They had not been standing but a minute or two
Went out of his knapsack to fiddle
He went out of his knapsack to fiddle

He drew the tune that he played
Made the valleys all ring
Oh, harp, ride the lady, hear the nightingale sing
Oh, maiden, fair maiden, tis time to give o'er
Oh, no kind soldier, please play one tune more
I'd rather you fiddle the toad
Than the touch of one string
Than see the waters glide, hear the nightingale sing
Oh, soldier, kind soldier, will you marry me?
Oh, no pretty maiden, please play one tune more
That never shall be
I've a wife down in London
And children twice three
Two wives and the army's too many for me
I'll go back to London and stay for a year
It's often I'll think of you, my little dear
If ever I return to London


It'll be in the spring
To see the waters glide, hear the nightingale sing