Once I Knew A Pretty Girl. Joan Baez, volume 2, published in 1961
Another folk ballad that I deeply love.
Joan Baez is singing.
ONCE I KNEW A PRETTY GIRL (Trad.)
Once I knew a pretty girl I loved her as my life I'd gladly give my heart and hand To make her my wife, Ooh, to make her my wife.
She took me by the hand, She led me to the door She put her arms around me Saying, "Please don't come no more." Ooh, please, come no more.
Well, I'd not been gone But about six months When she did complain. And she wrote me a letter Saying, "Please, come back again." Ooh, please, come again.
And I wrote her an answer Just for to let her know That no young man should venture Where once he could not go, Ooh, where once he could not go.
So come all you young lovers Take a warning from me - And never place your affections On a green, growing tree, Ooh, on a green, growing tree.
For the leaves they will wither Roots will decay And the beauty of a young maid Will soon fade away, Ooh, will soon fade away.