It was early one morning, one morning in May
I spied a fair couple a-winding their way
One was a lady as fair as could be
And the other was a soldier and a brave lad was he

They walked by the river for an hour or two
When from the satchel a fiddle he drew
He played out a message that made the hills ring
"Hark, hark, " said the lady, "hear the nightingale sing"

Said the soldier to the lady, "Will you marry me? "
"Oh no, " says the lady, "this never can be"
"Oh no, " says the lady, "this nеver can be"
"I've a wifе in Columbus and children twice three"

Young ladies, young ladies, take warning by me
Never place your affections on a green growing tree
Never place your affections on a green growing tree
If you do they'll deceive you as mine has done me

It was early one morning, one morning in May