As I roved out on a May morning
On a May morning right early
I spied my love upon the way
Oh Lord but she was early.
Her shoes were black, her stockings white
Her buckles shone like silver
She had a dark and rovin' eye
And her earrings touched her shoulders.
She sang
lith a dlddle, lith a diddle lith a dlddle dee
Cha hiddle hundiddy, cha hiddle hundiddy
and cha lan day. (x2)
How old are you my bonny be girl
how old are my darlin
How old are you my bonny be girl
"I'll be seventeen on Sunday"

So I went to the house at the top of the hill
The moon was shining clearly
She arose to let me in
but her mother chanced to hear me.
She sang
lith a dlddle, lith a diddle lith a dlddle dee
Cha hiddle hundiddy, cha hiddle hundiddy
and cha lan day. (x2)

She caught her by the hair of the head
And out of the room she brought her
With the root of a hazel branch
She was the well beat daughter.
Will you marry me now my soldier boy?
Will you marry me now or never?
Will you marry me now my soldier boy?
Can't you see I'm done forever?
I won't marry you now my bonnie be girl
I won't marry you my darlin'
For I have got a wife at home
And how can I disown her
She sang
lith a dlddle, lith a diddle lith a dlddle dee
Cha hiddle hundiddy, cha hiddle hundiddy
and cha lan day. (x2)

pint at night is my delight
And a gallon in the morning
The old women they are my heartbreak
And the young ones are my darlin's.
As I roved out on a May morning
On a May morning right early
I spied my love upon the way
Oh Lord but she was early.
She sang
lith a dlddle, lith a diddle lith a dlddle dee
Cha hiddle hundiddy, cha hiddle hundiddy
and cha lan day. (x2)