[Verse 1] Oh, I sowed the seeds of love I sowed them all in the spring I sowed them all on one May morning While the small birds they did sing
Oh, the gardener was standing by And I asked him to choose for me He chose me the violet the lily and the pink Those flowers I refused all three
[Chorus] For love it is tender and love it is true And love is a pleasure when first it is new But when it grows old, then love grows cold And fades like morning dew
[Verse 2] Oh, the violet I did not like Because it would fade too soon The lily and the pink I did really overthink And I vowed I'd stay 'til June
For in June there grows a red rose bud And that is the flower for me I oft times had plucked that red rose bud 'Til I gained the willow tree
[Chorus] For love it is tender and love it is true And love is a pleasure when first it is new But when it grows old, then love grows cold And fades like morning dew
[Bridge] Oh, the willow tree it will twist And the willow tree it will twine And so will that false and deluded young girl Who once stole this heart of mine Who once stole this heart of mine Oh, who once stole this heart of mine
[Chorus] For love it is tender and love it is true And love is a pleasure when first it is new But when it grows old, then love grows cold And fades like morning dew