Oh it happened one evening at the playing of ball That I first met Willie, so proper and tall. He was neat, fair and handsome and straight in every limb There's a heart in this bosom lies breaking for him.
“And will you go with me a short piece of the road For to view my father's dwelling and place of abode?” Well, he knew by her look and her languishing eye That he was the young man she valued most high.
“There is a house in my father's garden, lovely Willie,” said she, “Where lords, dukes, and earls they await upon me. And when they are sleeping in their long silent rest, Oh it's then I'll go with you, you're the boy I love best.”
But her father been listening; in ambush he lay For to hear the fond words those true lovers did say. And with a sharp rapier he pierced her love through And the innocent blood of her Willie he drew.
The grave it been dug, and lovely Willie laid in; The mass it was chanted for to cleanse his from of sin. And it's so, honoured father, you may speak as you will But the innocent blood of my love you did spill.
So I will go off to some foreign country Where I shall know no one, and no one knows me. And there I will wander till I close my eyes in death All for you, lovely Willie; you're the boy I love best.”