All a green willow

1. A poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree,
(Sing all a green willow)
His hand on his bosom, his head on his knee.
(Sing willow, willow, willow, willow)
He sighed in his singing, and after each groan
(O willow, willow, willow)
I am dead to all pleas̱ure*, my true love is gone.
‘Sing all a green willow’ shall be my garland.

2. Oh false she is turnèd, untrue she doth prọve;
(Sing all a green willow)
She renders me nothing but hate for my love.
(Sing willow, willow, willow, willow)
Oh, pitȳ me (cried he) you lovers each ōne;
(O willow, willow, willow)
Her heart’s hard as marble, she rues not my moan.
‘Sing all a green willow’ shall be my garland.

3. The cold streams ran by him, his eyes wept apace;
(Sing all a green willow)
The salt tears fell from him, which drownèd his face.
(Sing willow, willow, willow, willow)
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.
‘Sing all a green willow’ shall be my garland.

4. Let nobodȳ blame me, her scorns I do prọve;
(Sing all a green willow)
She was born to be false, and I die for her love.
(Sing willow, willow, willow, willow)
O that beautȳ should harbour a heart that’s so hard,
(O willow, willow, willow)
My true love rejecting without all regard.
‘Sing all a green willow’ shall be my garland.

5. Let love no more boast him, in palace or bow’r,
(Sing all a green willow)
For women are trothless, and fleet in an ho͞u͞r.
(Sing willow, willow, willow, willow)
But what helps complaining, in vain I complain;
(O willow, willow, willow)
I must patientlȳ suffer her scorn and disdain.
‘Sing all a green willow’ shall be my garland.

6. Come all you forsaken, and sit down by me,
(Sing all a green willow)
He that plaineth of his false love; mine’s falser then she.
(Sing willow, willow, willow, willow)
The willow wreath wear I, since my love did fleet;
(O willow, willow, willow)
A garland for lovers forsaken most meet.
‘Sing all a green willow’ shall be my garland.