THE NIGHTINGALE
As I went a walking one morning in May, I met a young
couple who fondly did stray, And one was a young maid so
sweet and so fair, And the other was soldier and a
brave grenadier.
Chorus:
And they kissed so sweet and comforting as they clung to each other.
They went arm in arm along the road like a sister and brother.
They went arm in arm along the road till they came to a stream,
And they both sat down together to hear the nightingale sing.
From out of his knapsack he took a fine fiddle
And he played her such merry tunes that you ever did hear
And he played her such merry tunes that the valley did ring
And they both sat down together to hear the nightingale sing.
Chorus.
O soldier, o soldier will you marry me
O no said the soldier, how ever could that be.
For I have me wife at home in my own country
And she is the finest little maid that you ever did see.
Chorus
Now I'm off to India for seven long years
Drinking wines and strong whiskey instead of strong beer;
And if ever I return again it'll be in the spring
And we'll both sit down together and hear the nightingale sing.