1.
A poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree,
(O willow, willow, willow)
His hand on his bosom, his head on his knee.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
2.
He sighed in his singing, and after each groan
(O willow, willow, willow)
I am dead to all pleasure, my true love is gone.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
3.
Oh false she is turnèd, untrue she doth prove;
(O willow, willow, willow)
She renders me nothing but hate for my love.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
4.
Oh, pity me (cried he) you lovers each one;
(O willow, willow, willow)
Her heart’s hard as marble, she rues not my moan.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
5.
The cold streams ran by him, his eyes wept apace;
(O willow, willow, willow)
The salt tears fell from him, which drownèd his face.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
6.
The mute birds sat by him, made tame by his moan;
(O willow, willow, willow)
The salt tears fell from him, which softened the stone.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
7.
Let nobody blame me, her scorns I do prove;
(O willow, willow, willow)
She was born to be false, and I die for her love.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
8.
O that beauty should harbour a heart that’s so hard,
(O willow, willow, willow)
My true love rejecting without all regard.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
9.
Let love no more boast him, in palace or bower,
(O willow, willow, willow)
For women are trothless, and fleet in an hour.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
10.
But what helps complaining, in vain I complain;
(O willow, willow, willow)
I must patiently suffer her scorn and disdain.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
11.
Come all you forsaken, and sit down by me,
(O willow, willow, willow)
He that plaineth of his false love; mine’s falser then she.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
12.
The willow wreath wear I, since my love did fleet;
(O willow, willow, willow)
A garland for lovers forsaken most meet.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
13.
Low laid by my sorrow, begot by disdain,
(O willow, willow, willow)
Against her too cruel, still still I complain.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
14.
O love too injurious to wound my poor heart,
(O willow, willow, willow)
To suffer her triumph, and joy in my smart.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
15.
O willow, willow, willow, the willow garland,
(O willow, willow, willow)
A sign of her falseness before me doth stand.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
16.
As here lying painèd, it stands in mine eye,
(O willow, willow, willow)
So hang it (friends) o’er me, in grave where I lie.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
17.
In grave, when I rest me, hang this to the view
(O willow, willow, willow)
Of all that do know her, to blaze her untrue.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
18.
With these words engraven, as epitaph meet:
(O willow, willow, willow)
Here lies one drunk poison for potion most sweet.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
19.
Though she thus unkindly have scornèd my love,
(O willow, willow, willow)
And carelessly smiles at the sorrows I prove.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
20.
I cannot against her unkindly exclaim,
(O willow, willow, willow)
’Cause once well I loved her, and honoured her name.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
21.
The name of her sounded so sweet in mine ear;
(O willow, willow, willow)
It raised my heart lightly, the name of my dear.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
22.
As then ’twas my comfort, it now is my grief;
(O willow, willow, willow)
It now brings me anguish; then, brought me relief.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.
23.
Farewell, fair false-hearted, plaints end with my breath;
(O willow, willow, willow)
Thou dost loath me, I love thee, though cause of my death.
‖: (O willow, willow, willow) :‖
Sing, O the green willow shall be my garland.