William and Davy were born in one hall

They grew side by side, as they grew strong and tall

Shared most things, only quarrelled now and then

In twenty years they were fine young men

In twenty years they were fine young men


William and Davy their hearts have been won

For each young man she's the very same one

Her eyes are blue; she has soft and snowy skin

A fairer maiden there never has been

A fairer maiden there never has been


Said William to Davy this girl I must wed

She fills my dreams like she fills my head

Please be kind her true lover I'll be him

And around the ocean I'm willing to swim

And around the ocean I'm willing to swim


Oh dearest William you must play fair

She's in my heart and she will always be there

And I am sure that she loves me more than thee

In her arms I soon will be

In her arms I soon will be


Said William to Davy, away let us ride

Unto her we will stand side by side

There she'll choose who she'll love and who she'll wed

And who will lie with her in her bed

Who will lie with her in her bed


The brothers they rode through wind and through rain

Each of them her heart for to gain

They rode until they were standing at her door

Their bellies empty, their hearts were sore

Their bellies empty, their hearts were sore


Then swiftly the maiden she opened the door

Young William and Davy, come round here no more

Wed I am, oh and happy I will be

Gold and silver he gave to me

Gold and silver he gave to me


William and Davy were born in one hall

They both rode side by side and they never did stall

They both have lost the girl that they adore

Their bellies empty, their hearts still sore

Their bellies empty, their hearts still sore


(Thanks to Chris for correcting these lyrics)