1.
I once loved a lass,
And I loved her so well,
That I hated all others
That spoke of her ill.
But now she’s rewarded
Me well for my love;
She’s gone to be wed to another.
2.
When I saw my love go
Through the church door
With bride and bride maidens;
They made a fine show.
And I follow the man
With my heart full of woe,
For now she is wed to another.
3.
When I saw my love
A-sit down to dine,
I sat down beside her,
And I poured out the wine.
And I drank to the lass
That should have been mine,
But now she is wed to another.
4.
The men of yon forest,
They ask it of me:
How many strawberries
Grow in the salt sea?
And I ask of them back
With a tear in my eye:
How many ships sail in the forest?
5.
So dig me a grave,
And dig it so deep,
And cover it over
With flowers so sweet.
And I’ll turn in for
To take a long sleep,
And maybe in time I’ll forget her.
6.
So they dug him a grave,
And they dug it so deep,
They covered it over
With flowers so sweet.
And he’s turned in for
To take a long sleep,
And maybe by now he’s forgotten.