I Once Had a True Love
Source: The Stone Fiddle by Paddy Tunney
Location: New Edition, page 168 / 169
I once had a sweet-heart, I loved her so well.
I loved her far better than my tongue could tell.
Her parents they slight me for my want of gear,
So adieu to you Molly, since you are not here.
I dreaméd last night that my true-love came in,
So softly she came that her feet made no din.
She steppéd up to me and this she did say,
“It will not be long love, till our wedding day.”
Oh, if I was a fisher down by the seaside,
And my love was a salmon coming in with the tide,
I would stretch my net wide and my love, I’d ensnare.
I own that I love you, I vow and declare.
Or if I was a blackbird and had wings to fly,
It’s on my love’s bosom, this night I would lie.
In a grove of green laurels, I’d law my love down,
And with my strong wings I would her surround.
O if I was in yonder valley where the small birds do singe,
And no one to be near me there I’d cry my fill.
Since the notion has took me to make my own will,
Sure, my own rod beats sorest and does hurt me still.
So, adieu to you Molly, adieu to you dear,
And fare you well darling since you are not here.
In a grove of green bushes I will make my moan,
And I’ll think of you Molly when I am alone.