Lyrics:

ONCE I KNEW A PRETTY GIRL

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, oh 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, please come no more'

Well I'd not been gone for about six months
When she did complain
And she wrote me a letter
Saying, 'Please come back again, oh please come again'

And I wrote her an answer just to let her know
That no young man should venture
Where once he could not go, oh where once he could not go

So come all ye young lovers take a warning from me
And never place your affection
On a green growing tree, oh on a green growing tree

'Cause the leaves they will whither, roots will decay
And the beauty of a young maid
Will soon fade away, oh soon fade away