Lyrics:

Oh Come all ye maids who live at a distance
Many's a mile from off your sway
Come and assist me this very moment
For to pass away some time
Singing sweetly and completely
Songs of pleasure and of love
For me heart is with him altogether
Though I live not where I love

When I sleep I dream about you
When I wake I take no rest
Every moment thinking on you
My heart o'er fixed in your breast
But although far distance
May be of assistance
If from my mind your love remove
For me heart is with him altogether
Though I live not where I love

All the world shall be of one religion
All living things shall cease to die
If ever I should prove false to my jewel
Or any way his love deny
Oh the world shall change, and be most strange
If from my mind your love remove
For me heart is with him altogether
Though I live not where I love

So farewell lads and farewell lassies
Now I think I've made my choice
I will away to yonder mountain
Where I think I hear his voice
And if he hollars I will follow
Around the world though 'tis so wide
For young Thomas he did promise
I should be his lawful bride

Oh Come all ye maids who live at a distance
Many's a mile from off your sway
Come and assist me this very moment
For to pass away some time
Singing sweetly and completely
Songs of pleasure and of love
For me heart is with him altogether
Though I live not where I love

Traditional