Once I knew  a pretty girl

I loved her as my life

I'd gladly give my heart and hand

To make her my wife

Ooh, to make her my wife



She took me by the hand

She led me to the door

She put her arms around me

Saying, "Please don't come no more"

Ooh, Please, come no more



Well, I'd not been gone 

But about six months

When she did complain

And she wrote me a letter

Saying, "please come back again."

Ooh, Please, come again



So I sent her an answer

Just for to let her know

That no young man should venture

Where once he could not go

Ooh, Where once he could not go.



So come all you young lovers

Take a warning from me

And never hang your affections

On a green, growing tree

Ooh, on a green, growing tree



For the leaves they will wither

Roots will decay

And the beauty of a young girl

Will soon fade away

Ooh, will soon fade away