I Once Loved A Lass

I once loved a lass and I loved her so well

I hated all others who spoke of her ill

But now she's rewarded me well for my love

She's gone to be wed to another

I watched as my love did to the church go

With bride and bride-maidens she made a fine show

And I followed her on with a heart full of woe

To see my love be wed to another

To see my love be wed to another

I watched as my love did sit down to dine

I sat down beside her and I poured out the wine

And I drank to the wee lass that should have been mine

But now she is wed to another

"Well, stop," says the groomsman, "If you take my word

Would you venture your life on the point of a sword?

For courting too slowly you have lost this fair maiden

Begone, you will never enjoy her

Begone, you will never enjoy her"

Now the lads of the forest, they ask it of me

"How many strawberries grow 'round the salt sea?"

And I answer them back with a tear in my eye

"How many ships sail in the forest?"

Go dig me a grave all large, wide and deep

And cover it over with wild flowers sweet

And lay me down gently for to take my long sleep

And that's the best way to forget her

So we dug him a grave all large, wide and deep

And covered it over with wild flowers sweet

And we laid him down gently for to take his long sleep

And maybe by now he's forgotten

And maybe by now he's forgotten

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