I Once Loved A Lass (Rough Guide To Irish Folk, 2011)
I once loved a lass and I loved her so well I hated all others who spoke of her ill But now she's rewarded me well for my love For she's gone to be wed to another
I watched as my love did to the church go With bride and bride-maidens she made a fine show And I followed her on with a heart full of woe To see my love be wed to another To see my love be wed to another
I watched as my love did sit down to diner I sat down beside her and poured out the wine And I drank to the wee lass that should have been mine For now she is wed to another
Oh stop says the groomsman if you take my word Would you venture your life on the point of a sword For courting too slowly you have lost this fair maiden Begone you will never enjoy her Begone you will never enjoy her
The lads of yon forest, they ask it of me How many strawberries grow round the salt sea But I answer them back with a tear in my eye How many ships sail in the forest?
Oh, dig me a grave all large wide and deep And cover it over with wild flowers sweet And lay me down gently for to take a long sleep For that's the best way to forget her
So we dug him a grave all large wide and deep And covered it over with wild flowers sweet And we laid him down gently for to take his long sleep And maybe by now he's forgotten.