1.
It’s of a young apprentice
Who went to court his dear;
The moon was shining brightèly,
The stars were twinkling clear,
When he went to his love’s window
To ease her of her pain,
And she quickèly rose and let him in,
And went to bed again.
2.
My father and my mother
On yonder room do lay;
They are embracing one another,
And so may you and I.
They are embracing one another
Without a fear or doubt,
Saying: ‘Take me in your arms, my love,
And blow the candle out.’
3.
My mother she’d be angèry
If she should come to know;
My father he’s be angry too
To prove my overthrow.
I wouldn’t forfeit five guineas
Now that they should find me out,
Saying: ‘Take me in your arms, my love,
And blow the candle out.’
4.
O when your baby it is born,
You may dandle it on your knee,
And if it be a baby boy,
Then name it after me.
For when nine months are over,
My apprenticeship is out;
I’ll return and do my duty,
And blow the candle out.
5.
Now six months they were over,
Six months and a day.
He wrote his love a letter
That he was going away.
He wrote his love a letter
Without a fear or doubt,
Saying he never should return again
To blow the candle out.
6.
Come, all you pretty young local girls,
A warning take by me,
And don’t be quick to fall in love
With everyone you see,
For when they’re in their prenticeship,
They’ll swear their time is out,
Then they’ll leave you, as mine left me
To blow the candle out.