As I went a-walkin' and a-ramblin' one day I met a fair couple a-makin' their way
And one was a lady and a fair one was she And the other was a cowboy and a brave one was he
And the other was a cowboy and a brave one was he
Where are you goin' my pretty fair maid Just down by the river, just down by the shade
Just down by the river, just down by the spring See the wild ripplin' water, hear the nightingale sing
See the wild ripplin' water, hear the nightingale sing
They hadn't been there but an hour or so Dilled out of his satchel, roof, fiddle and bow
He played a tune that made the woods rain
He played a tune that made the woods rain

She said, hark, hark, hear the nightingale sing
She said, hark, hark, hear the nightingale sing
She said, dear cowboy, will you marry me Oh no, my little maiden, that never can be
I've a wife in Arizona and I'm a cowboy in the woods

And a lady is she
One wife on a cow ranch is plenty for me
One wife on a cow ranch is plenty for me
I'm goin' out to Mexico, I'll stay about a year
I'll drink red wine, I'll drink lots of beer
If I ever return it will be in the spring
To see waters glide and hear nightingales sing
To see waters glide and hear nightingales sing
To see waters glide and hear nightingales sing
Come all you young ladies, take a warning by me
Don't place your affection in a cowboy so free
He'll go and leave you like blinded me
Leave you to rock, cradle, sing, by old baby
Leave you to rock, cradle, sing, by old baby
Leave you to rock, cradle, sing, battle, baby