Irish traditional song lyrics — collected by Beer Belly Band.
As I went a walking one morning in may
I met a young couple so fondly did stray
One was a young maid so sweet and so fair
The other was a soldier and a brave Grenadier
Chorus:
And the kissed so sweet and comforting as they clung to each other
They went arm in arm along the road like sister and brother
They went arm in arm along the road till they came to a stream
And they both sat down together to hear the nightingale sing
Out of his knapsack he took a fine fiddle
He played her such merry tunes that you ever did hear
He played her such merry tunes that you the valley did ring
And softly cried the fair maid hear the nightingale sing
Chorus
Oh I’m off to India for seven long years
Drinking wine and strong whiskey instead of pale beer
And if ever I return again ’twill be in the spring
And we’ll both sit down together love to hear the nightingale sing
Chorus
Well then said the fair maid will you marry me
Oh no says the soldier however can that be
For I have me own wife at home in me own country
And sure she is the fairest little maid that you ever did see
Chorus