Go dig up that red rosy bush
That stands by the willow tree
And it will show to the wide world around
That she's forsaken me

Go show me the crow that is so black
It surely will turn white
If I forsake the darling girl that I love
All my days will turn to night

Oh, it's hard to love and can't be loved
It's hard to change your mind
You broken up the heart of many poor boy
But you never will break up mine

Oh, I'll put my knapsack on my back
And a parcel (parasol) in my hand
I'll travel this whole wide world over
Until I find some better a land

'Til I find some better a land, my little love
'Til I find some better a land
I'll travel this whole wide world
'Til I find some better a land.

And who's gonna shoe your pretty little foot
And who's gonna glove your hand?
Who will kiss those red rosy cheeks
When I'm in a foreign land?

When I'm in a foreign land, my little love
When I'm in a foreign land
Who will kiss those red rosy cheeks
When I'm in a foreign land?

Oh, my father will shoe my little foot
And my mama will glove my hand
And you may kiss those red rosy cheeks
When you return from the foreign land

When you return from the foreign land, my little love
When you return from the foreign land
It's you may kiss these red rosy cheeks
When you return from the foreign land

Oh, I wish I'd died when I was young
Or never had been born
Before I saw those red rosy cheeks
And heard that flattering tongue