The Lambs on the Green Hills

The lambs on the green hills stood gazing at me
And many strawberries grow round the salt sea,
And many strawberries grow round the salt sea
And many a ship sails the ocean.

The bride and bride's party to church they did go,
The bride she rode foremost, she bears the best show,
And I followed after with a heart full of woe
To see my love to another.

The first place I saw her was on the church stand
Gold rings on her fingers and her love by the hand,
Says I "My wee lassie,I will be the man
Although you are wed to another".

The next place I saw her was on the way home
I ran on before her, not knowing where to roam,
Says I "My wee lassie I'll be by your side
Although you are wed to another".

"Stop, stop," says the groomsman, "till I speak a word,
Will you venture your life on the point of a sword?
For courting so slowly you've lost this fair maid,
So begone for you'll never enjoy her."

Oh,come make my grave then both large, wide and deep,
And sprinkle it over with flowers so sweet
And lay be down in it to take my last sleep,
For that's the best way to forget her.


An interesting variant on The False Bride.