The Nightingale

Now as I was a-walking one morning in May
I saw a sweet couple together at play
O the one was a fair maid and her beauty shone clear
And the other was a soldier, a brave grenadier.

Chorus

But they kissed so sweet and comforting as they pressed to each other
They went arm in arm along the road like sister and brother
They went arm in arm along the road till they came to a spring,
Then they both sat down together just to hear the nightingale sing

Then out of his knapsack, a long fiddle he drew
And he played her such merry tunes as she ever knew,
And he played her such merry tunes, caused the valleys to ring
Hark hark, replied the fair maid, how the nightingales sing

O come, said the soldier, 'tis time to give o'er
O no, said the maiden, please play one tune more
I do like your playing, and the touching of the long string
And to see the pretty flowers grow, hear the nightingale sing.

Now I'm going to India, for seven long years
Drinking wines and strong whiskey instead of strong beers
But if I ever return again, it will be in the spring
Then we'll both sit down together, love, and hear the nightingale sing

Now, said the fair maid, come, soldier, marry me
O no, said the soldier, how ever can that be?
For I've a nice little wife at home in my own country
And she is the smartest little woman that your eyes ever see

The Nightingale version # 2

As I was a-walking and a-rambling one day
I spied a young couple so fondly at play
And one was a young maid so sweet and so fair
And the other one was a soldier and a brave grenadier

Chorus

And they kissed so sweet and comforting as they clung to each other
They went arm in arm down the road like sister and brother
They went arm in arm down the road till they came to a spring
Then they both sat down together to hear the nightingale sing

From out of his knapsack he drew a fine fiddle
And he played her such merry tunes that you ever did hear
And he played her such merry tunes that the valley did ring
When they both sat down together now to hear the nightingale sing

And now said the young maid Will you marry me?
Oh no, said the soldier, How could that be?
For I have a wife at home in the old country
And she is the finest maid that you ever did see.

Now I'm off to India for seven long years
Drinking wine and strong whiskey instead of pale beer
And if I return again it'll be in the spring
And we'll both sit down together now to hear the nightingale sing