I fell in love with a swan. 
My eyes were filled with feathers, 
He filled me with song, 
In the reedy river, 
In the reedy river. 

I in my boat long hours, 
He in his royal plumage-- 
I threw him some flowers, 
In the reedy river, 
In the reedy river. 

Black was the night and starry. 
I loosened off my garments 
And let forth my hair,* 
In the reedy river, 
In the reedy river. 

Sadly we mourned and sighed, 
Whilst in evening twilight 
Two swans glide and fly 
In the reedy river, 
In the reedy river, 
("Two swans glide and fly") 
In the reedy river. 
("Two swans glide and fly") 

I fell in love with a swan... 
(unintelligible spoken words) 

*--"let forth": 
Donovan`s original words were probably 
and "let fall".