Here's To All True Lovers

Here is to all true lovers

And to mine wherever she may be

This very night I shall go and see her

Although she is away many miles from me

Away, away I can stay no longer

The sweet Boyne water I'll have to cross

And over high hills I'll roam with pleasure

One night to be with my own true love

And if this night was as dark as dungeon

And not a star, love, oh to appear

I would be guided without a stumble

Up to the harbor where dwells my dear

And when I came to my true love's window

I stooped down low all on a stone

And through a pane I did whisper slowly

"Are you awake, love? Are you at home?"

Then she arose from her soft, down pillow

And soon uncovered her snow-white breast

Saying, "Who is there at my bedroom window

Disturbing me from my long night's rest?"

"'Tis I, 'tis I, your own true love Willy

Why don't you rise, love, and let me in?

For I am tired of my long night's journey

Besides, love, I am wet to the skin"

Then she rose up in a great hurry

And soon unlocked the door she done

And there they lay in each other's arms

Wishing the daylight would never shine in

Oh daylight, daylight is now approaching

Yon dreary mountain I'll have to climb

And I will climb it without a stumble

Leaving the arms of my own true love

"Oh you may go and ask your father

And if he's willing, my sweet bride you'll be

Oh was he says, return and tell me

For this is the last night I'll trouble thee"

"I may not go for to ask my father

For he is sitting in his lordly air

And in his right hand he holds a letter

Which reads the most part of your career"

"Oh you may go then and ask your mother

And if she's willing, my sweet bride you'll be

Oh what she says, return and tell me

For this is the last night I'll trouble thee"

"I may not go for to ask my mother

For signs of sweethearts she can't endure

So you may go and try some other

For this is the last night I'll trouble thee"

He pulled out a silver dagger

And stuck it in through his snow-white breast

Saying, "Aye, adieu to my parents

And to the young girl that I love best

Oh lay me down in yon green valley

Put a marble stone at my head and feet

And lay my true love right down beside me

Adieu, dear parents, for me don't weep"