The Greenwood Laddie
Source: The Stone Fiddle by Paddy Tunney
Location: New Edition, page 150
You Muses assist me, there’s none can resist me.
Only that fair one whom I do adore,
And wile others can tease me, he’s the young man can please me,
And he’s my Greenwood Laddie whom I’ll always adore.
If you had seen my dearest, with eyes of the clearest,
His cheeks like the red blood that’s new-dropped in snow.
He is neat, tall and slender and his hands soft and tender,
He is my Greenwood Laddie wherever he go.
My parents, my darling, they slight you with scorn,
Because you’ve no riches all wrapped up in store.
But the more that they slight you, the more I’ll invite you
To be my Greenwood Laddie till time is no more.
For if I has the wealth of the East and West Indies.,
Or if I had the gold of the African Shore,
Or if I could gain thousands, I’d lie on your bosom,
You’ll be my Greenwood Laddie I’ll always adore.
It’s down in yon bower, we spent many’s the long hour,
A-plucking the flowers in his company.
It was his stolen kisses gave me my heart’s wishes.
He’ll be my Greenwood Laddie wherever he be.