Early One Morning

Early one morning, just as the sun was rising,
I heard a maid sing in the valley below,
"Oh don't deceive me, Oh never leave me,
How could you use, a poor maiden so?"
Remember the vows that you made to me truly,
Remember how tenderly you nestled close to me,
Gay is the garland, fresh are the roses,
I've culled from the garden to bind over thee.

Here I now wander alone as I wonder,
Why did you leave me to sigh and complain,
I ask of the roses, why should I be forsaken,
Why must I here in sorrow remain?

Through yonder grove, by the spring that is running,
There you and I have so merrily played,
Kissing and courting and gently sporting,
Oh, my innocent heart you've betrayed,

Soon you will meet with another pretty maiden,
Some pretty maiden, you'll court her for a while;
Thus ever ranging, turning and changing,
Always seeking for a girl that is new.

Thus sang the maiden, her sorrows bewailing,
Thus sang the poor maid in the valley below,
"Oh don't deceive me, Oh never leave me,
How could you use, a poor maiden so?"