Lyrics:
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My love she was fair and my love she was kind too
And many were the happy hours, between my love and me.
I never could refuse her, whatever she'd a mind to
And now she's far away, far o'er the stormy sea.
Chorus
All 'round my hat I will wear the green willow,
All 'round my hat for a twelve month and a day,
If anybody asks me the reason why I'm wearing it
It's all because my true love is far, far away.
My love she was fair, and my love she was kind
And cruel the judge and jury that sentenced her away
For thieving was a thing that she never was inclined to
They sent my love across the sea ten thousand miles away.
Chorus
Will my love be true and will my love be faithful?
Or will she find another swain to court her where she's gone?
The men will all run after her, so pretty and so graceful
And leave me here lamenting, lamenting all alone.
Chorus
A version popularized by Steeleye Span used the traditional chorus (shown above)
and these verse stanzas
Chorus
All around my hat I will wear the green willow
And all around my hat, for a twelvemonth and a day
And if anyone should ask me the reason why I'm wearing it
It's all for my true love who's far far away
Fare thee well cold winter and fare thee well cold frost.
Nothing have I gained but my own true love I've lost.
I'll sing and I'll be merry when occasion I do see
He's a false deluding young man, let him go, farewell he.
Chorus
The other night he brought me a fine diamond ring
But he thought to have deprived me of a far better thing
But I being careful like lovers ought to be.
He's a false deluding young man, let him go, farewell he
Chorus
There's a quarter pound of reasons and a half pound of sense,
A small sprig of time and small one of prudence,
You mix them all together and you will plainly see
He's a false deluding young man, let him go, farewell he
Chorus
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