It's often I sat on my true love's knee
And many a fond tale he told me
He told me things that never shall be
Sweet William's a-mourning among the rush.
And many a fond tale he told me
He told me things that never shall be
Sweet William's a-mourning among the rush.
The rose is red, the grass is green
The days are past that I have seen
And there is another where I have been
Sweet William's a-mourning among the rush.
The days are past that I have seen
And there is another where I have been
Sweet William's a-mourning among the rush.
I wish I was where I love best
Close in them arms I would embrace
The door should be locked and the key in the chest
Sweet William's a-mourning among the rush.
Close in them arms I would embrace
The door should be locked and the key in the chest
Sweet William's a-mourning among the rush.
The rose is red, the grass is green
The days are past that I have seen
And there is another where I have been
Sweet William's a-mourning among the rush.
The days are past that I have seen
And there is another where I have been
Sweet William's a-mourning among the rush.
I wish, I wish, I wish in vain
Wish I was a maid again
Then my parents would not complain
Sweet William's a-mourning among the rush.
Wish I was a maid again
Then my parents would not complain
Sweet William's a-mourning among the rush.
The rose is red, the grass is green
The days are past that I have seen
And there is another where I have been
Sweet William's a-mourning among the rush.
The days are past that I have seen
And there is another where I have been
Sweet William's a-mourning among the rush.
I'll dye my petticoats crimson red
Through the world I'll beg my bread
When he comes back he'll think I'm dead
Sweet William's a-mourning among the rush.
Through the world I'll beg my bread
When he comes back he'll think I'm dead
Sweet William's a-mourning among the rush.
The rose is red, the grass is green
The days are past that I have seen
And there is another where I have been
Sweet William's a-mourning among the rush.
The days are past that I have seen
And there is another where I have been
Sweet William's a-mourning among the rush.
Another Version
It's early, early all in the Spring,
My love roved out for to serve the King,
With the raging seas and the winds blowing high,
Which parted me from my sailor boy.
0 father, father, build me a boat,
And it's on the ocean I'll go float,
And I'll hail the ships as they pass me by
Until I get news from my sailor boy.
She had not long been over the sea,
When a man-of-war ship she chanced to see.
0 captain, captain, come tell me true,
Did my love Willie sail on board with you?
What kind of a lad is your Willie dear?
What kind of clothing did your Willie wear?
He wears a jacket of the royal blue,
And it's easily seen that his heart is true.
0 the colour of amber is my love's hair,
His cherry cheeks sets my heart in snare,
His ruby lips so soft and fine,
It's often times he pressed them to mine.
0 no, fair maid, he is not here,
Your Willie is drowned I greatly fear,
For the last green island as we passed by,
I lost four more and your sailor boy.
She wrung her hands and tore her hair
Just like some girl in deep despair.
From the captain's deck to the main top high
Let ye mourn black for my sailor boy.
She wrote a letter and she wrote it long,
And in the middle she wrote a song,
And every line she shed a tear,
And every verse she cries: Willie dear.
Come dig me my grave both wide and deep,
Place a marble tombstone to my head and feet,
And in the middle put a turtle dove
To let the world know that I died of love.
song info:
Verified yes
LanguageEnglish
GenreEthnic/Folk
Rank−
Duration
Charts
Copyright ©
Writer
Lyrics licensed byLyricFind
AddedMay 7th, 2018
Last updatedMarch 5th, 2022
AboutOne of the interesting things about folk music is how the tunes and lyrics have evolved over time. This is a variant of Johnny's Gone For a Soldier which is probably a variant of Shule Aroon which dates back to the 17th Century. Another variant is Shule Agra.
According to one theory, the tune arose out of the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The Irish supported James II, and were defeated at the Boyne. William III, who defeated James, offered forgiveness to the rebels who would swear loyalty to him, but many preferred exile. The only evidence for this theory, is that some English versions have the line "But now my love has gone to France, To try his fortune to advance...."
According to one theory, the tune arose out of the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The Irish supported James II, and were defeated at the Boyne. William III, who defeated James, offered forgiveness to the rebels who would swear loyalty to him, but many preferred exile. The only evidence for this theory, is that some English versions have the line "But now my love has gone to France, To try his fortune to advance...."
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