The Nightingale

As I went a walking one morning in May

I met a young couple so far did we stray

And one was a young maid so sweet and so fair

And the other was a soldier and a brave Grenadier

And they kissed so sweet and comforting

As they clung to each other

They went arm in arm along the road

Like sister and brother

They went arm in arm along the road

Til they came to a stream

And they both sat down together, love

To hear the nightingale sing

Out of his knapsack he took a fine fiddle

He played her such merry tunes that you ever did hear

He played her such merry tunes that the valley did ring

And softly cried the fair maid as the nightingale sings

And they kissed so sweet and comforting

As they clung to each other

They went arm in arm along the road

Like sister and brother

They went arm in arm along the road

Til they came to a stream

And they both sat down together, love

To hear the nightingale sing

Oh, I'm off to India for seven long years

Drinking wines and strong whiskies instead of strong

beer

And if ever I return again 'twill be in the spring

And we'll both sit down together love to hear the

nightingale sing

And they kissed so sweet and comforting

As they clung to each other

They went arm in arm along the road

Like sister and brother

They went arm in arm along the road

Til they came to a stream

And they both sat down together, love

To hear the nightingale sing

"Well then", says the fair maid, "will you marry me?"

"Oh no", says the soldier, "however can that be?"

For I've my own wife at home in my own country

And she is the finest little maid that you ever did see

And they kissed so sweet and comforting

As they clung to each other

They went arm in arm along the road

Like sister and brother

They went arm in arm along the road

Til they came to a stream

And they both sat down together, love

To hear the nightingale sing