Lady Isabel sat at her window sewing
Aye as the gowans grow gay
When she heard an elf-knight on his branc horn a-blowing
On the first morning in May
 
"Oh, I wish that that horn that I hear blow so clearly,"
Aye as the gowans grow gay
"And yonder elf-knight for to love me so dearly."
On the first morning in May
 
Well, this maiden had scarcely the fatal words spoken
Aye as the gowans grow gay
When in her window the elf-knight has broken
On the first morning in May
 
"Hey, here's a strange matter, fair maiden," said he
Aye as the gowans grow gay
"I cannot blow horn but you call out to me."
On the first morning in May
 
"But will you come doon on to yon greenwood side?"
Aye as the gowans grow gay
"Come tak a fair horse and together we'll ride."
On the first morning in May
 
And he's left on a horse and she on another
Aye as the gowans grow gay
And they have gone doon to the greenwood together
On the first morning in May
 
"Lie down you, lie down you, fair maiden," says he
Aye as the gowans grow gay
"We are come to the place where ye are to die."
On the first morning in May
 
"Hae mercy, hae mercy, Sir Elf-Knight, on me."
Aye as the gowans grow gay
"Til aince more my father and mother I see."
On the first morning in May
 
"Well, seven kings daughters here have I slain."
Aye as the gowans grow gay
"And you'll be the eighth, will forever remain."
On the first morning in May
 
"Come, sit doon a while, rest your head on my knee."
Aye as the gowans grow gay
"Let we make our rest here before that I die."
On the first morning in May
 
And she's stroked his dark head and she's whispered so sweet
Aye as the gowans grow gay
That the elf-knight was soon lulléd fast, fast asleep
On the first morning in May
 
And she's ta'en his ain sword-belt and bound him aroond
Aye as the gowans grow gay
And with his own dirk struck the fiend his death wound
On the first morning in May
 
"Well, if seven kings daughters were slain here by ye,"
Aye as the gowans grow gay
"Then lie here and keep them all good company."
On the first morning in May
 
On the first morning in May 
On the first morning in May