Bonnie Tavern Green
Source: The Stone Fiddle by Paddy Tunney
Location: New Edition, page 170
The first time that I met my love it was in Tavern Green,
And I would wish with all my heart her face I’d never seen.
It was her smiling glances that wounded my heart sore,
For I being sick and bad with love till I could love no more.
O love it is a killing thing I hear the people say,
And for to love and not be loved it would drive one astray.
For to be sick and bad in love, and not to mend again;
False heart, fealse heart must I die of love, and naught to end my pain.
I wish my love was a nightingale, sitting on yon garden wall,
And I to be a drop of dew, down on her breast I’d fall.
Then into my love’s arms, all with great sport and play,
And we’d rowl about a whole winter’s night, and never think long for day.
If I was queen of England as Queen Anne was long ago,
Many and precious jewels to my love I would send o’er.
She never would want money while I would reign as queen,
For many a pleasant day I spent all round sweet Tavern Green.