A week before Easter a morn bright and clear

O, the sun it shone brightly and keen blew the air

I went to the forest to gather wildflowers

But the forest would yield me no roses

The roses are red the leaves they are green

The bushes and briars are a joy to be seen

And the small birds are singing and changing their notes

Down among the wild beasts in the forest

Now the first time I saw my love she was dressed all in white

Made my eyes run and water fair dazzled my sight

But now she has left me and shown me false play

For she's gone to be wed to another

The last time I saw my love she did in the church stand

With a ring on her finger and a glove in her hand

And I thought to myself that I could have been that man

But she’s left me and gone with some other

The parson that married them aloud he did cry

All you that forbid it I would have you stand nigh

And I thought to myself I've a good reason why

But I have not the heart to forbid it

O dig me my grave, dig it both long, wide and deep

And cover it over with flowers so sweet

And I lay me down for to take a long sleep

For that’s the best way to forget her