Early one morning when pearly with dew I saw a fair maiden pluck violets so blue And the song that she sang made all the woods ring ‘O my love is in Flanders to fight for the King And I wish that the wars were all over And I wish that the wars were all done
I stepped up to her and made this reply I said my fair maiden what, makes you to cry Well my Billy’s gone from me, I love him so dear And the French they will kill him, so great is my fear And I wish that the wars were all over And I wish that the wars were all done
I’ll pluck these red roses so fine and so gay Yet I have my own flower – but he’s far away And his jacket is red, like the robin’s red breast But I fear that those bullets paint roses on his chest And I wish that the wars were all over
Ten thousands of bluebells now welcome the spring O but when will the church-bells for victory ring? And the soldiers come home, and the people rejoice And then I’ll be wed to the lad of my choice And I wish that the wars were all over