Oh the trees they grow tall and the leaves they are 
green. 
And many a time my true love i've seen. 
And many a night how I walked all alone 
When my Johnny was a long time a-growin'. 

I remember so well over my father's wall 
I heard the boys a-singin', i could hear them dancin' 
call. 
And my own true love was the fairest of them all 
He's young but he's daily a-growin'. 

Oh father, dear father, you've done me great wrong, 
You've married me off to a boy that's much too young. 
Oh, I am twice twelve, and he's but fourteen. 
He's young but he's daily growin'. 

Oh daughter, dear daughter, I have done you no wrong. 
I've married you to a rich man's son. 
For he will be a lord for you to wait upon. 
Yes, he's young but he's daily a-growin'. 

At the age of fourteen he was a married man 
At the age of fifteen the father of a son 
At the age of sixteen, his grave it was green 
And death put a stop to his growin'. 

But he born me one son, so i can pass the time 
Watchin' my boy rise to grow a year 
An' I will watch him rise till he's become a man. 
He's young now but he's daily a-growin'.