1.
The poor soul sat sighing
By a sycamore tree,
Sing willow, willow, willow,
With his hand in his bosom
And his head upon his knee.
Chorus:
‖: Oh, willow, willow, willow, willow, :‖
Shall be my garland.
Sing all a green ‖: willow, :‖ (×4)
Aye me, the green willow
Must be my garland.
2.
He sighed in his singing
And made a great moan,
Sing willow, willow, willow,
I am dead to all pleasure,
My true love he is gone.
Chorus
3.
The mute bird sat by him
Was made tame by his moans,
Sing willow, willow, willow,
The true tears fell from him
Would have melted the stones.
Chorus
4.
Come all you forsaken
And mourn you with me.
Sing willow, willow, willow,
Who speaks of a false love?
Mine’s falser than she.
Chorus
5.
Let Love no more boast her
In palace nor bower;
Sing willow, willow, willow,
It buds but it blasteth
Ere it be a flower.
Chorus
6.
Thou fair and more false,
I die with thy wound.
Sing willow, willow, willow,
Thou hast lost thy truest lover
That goes upon the ground.
Chorus
7.
Let nobody chide her,
Her scorns I approve.
Sing willow, willow, willow,
She was born to be false
And I to die for love.
Chorus
8.
Take this for my farewell
And latest adieu;
Sing willow, willow, willow,
Write this on my tomb
That in love I was true.
Chorus