Hey! Now my sweetest bess,
For why do you ride so fast?
Stop awhile with a Cavalier,
Come sit upon the grass.
For it's been awhile, it's been awhile,
it's been awhile and Oh!
Come sit awhile with a Cavalier
And we'll watch the evening go. 

I am sorry sir, no time have I 
No time have I to fail, 
My husband sits on point of death 
Down at Oxford Jail 
For it's been awhile, it's been awhile, 
it's been awhile and Oh! 
My husband is in Oxford Jail 
And away to him I go. 

But Bonny Bess no more no less 
No dishonour did I think, 
Stop awhile with a Cavalier 
Come and have a drink. 
For it's been awhile, it's been awhile, 
it's been awhile and Oh! 
Come sit awhile with a Cavalier 
We'll take it nice and slow. 

I am sorry sir, but I must ride, 
My husband dies at morn'. 
And here inside is our child 
Waiting to be born. 
For it's been awhile, it's been awhile, 
it's been awhile and Oh! 
My husband is in Oxford Jail 
And away to him I go. 

And tell me bess what sort of man 
Could make you ride so fast, 
As only a man in prison chains 
Could let such beauty pass. 
For it's been awhile, it's been awhile, 
it's been awhile and Oh! 
Come sit awhile with a Cavalier 
My tenderness I'll show. 

I bid thee sir to let me pass 
I ride to Free-born John, 
I ride to speak unto the king 
For the father of my son. 


For it's been awhile, it's been awhile, 
it's been awhile and Oh! 
My husband is in Oxford Jail 
And away to him I go. 

Oh! ride away go see your dog, 
A rotting in his cell, 
I'll see you in heaven lass, 
When you leave him dead in hell. 
For it's been awhile, it's been awhile, 
it's been awhile and Oh! 
I'll lay you down in clovergrass 
When you're back along this road. 

Ah! sir I will return, 
Back along this road 
And lay you down in clovergrass 
My tenderness I'll show. 
For it's been awhile, it's been awhile, 
it's been awhile and Oh! 
Since I cut the throat of a Cavalier 
We'll take it nice and slow.