Down in Yon Valley there was a fine wedding
Oh, but the bride, she has proved to be unkind
When looking back on her bygone lover
Her former true lover came in at the time
Supper being ended and all things over
It was proposed to sing the brightest song
The song it was sung by her bygone lover
And unto the bride this song it did belong
Many a one has been seven years absent
Many a one has returned again
But I have been only three years absent
And an inconstant lover to me be
Oh, how could you sit at another man's table
How could you drink of another man's wine
How could you lie in another man's arms
When often and often you said you'd lie in mine
The bride being seated at the end of the table
Every word was spoken she marketed
For weal
But to bear up the company no more was she able
So unto the bridegroom these words she did tell
I'm going to ask of you, to ask of you a favour
This being the first one you'll grant it to me
You'll grant me the signet to lie with my mammy
And I, I and after and I'll lie with you
In asking and asking this favour was granted
Sighing and sobbing she went to your bed
But early, oh early, the very next morning
This bonny young lassie was found lying dead
Surprising, surprising to all ye young women
To see one say early come
But often her bloom
Tonight she may be walking
And we sweethearts talking
And I in the morning be cold in the tomb
First I'll put on a green coat of velvet
This I will wear for one month or two
And then I'll put on the green and the yellow
And I, I and after the orange and the blue
If anyone do ask me, do ask me the reason
Why I do wear such a costly array
I'll tell them the reason, the very plain reason
Because that my true love lies cold in the clay
And I, I and after and I'll lie with my mammy