I Loved a Lad

 Source: Kennedy, Folksongs of Britain and Ireland.
First reference: c.1685 broadside by John White of Newcastle upon Tyne: The Forlorn Lover - also:
1773 New Partheon Concert #14 The False Nymph
1871 Roxburghe 1881 Christie
1895 Baring Gould and so on with 9 more before 1920.


I loved a lad, and I loved him so well.
But I hated all others who spoke of his ills.
But now he's rewarded me well for my love.
Now he's gone to another.

And I sell my love, down by the corrach side
All bridesmaids and braid walk on down by his side.
I sat down beside him and I poured out the wine.
Now he's wed to another.

The lads in the forest, they ask of me.
"How many wild strawberries, grow in the deep sea?"
I ask them the same, I ask them quite plain,
"How many ships sail in the forest?"

Dig me a grave, both long and both deep.
And cover it over with flowers so sweet.
And maybe's a turning to take a long sleep?
And maybe's in time I'll forget him?

This copy of the text of this song is from website Digital Tradition


I personally know this song better in a version which begins

I once loved a lass, and I loved her so well
That I hated all others who spoke of her ill
But now she's rewarded me well for my care
For she's gone to be wed to another.

Return to I Once Loved a Lad

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