When Cockleshells Turn Silver Bells (Waly, Waly)

When cockleshells turn silver bells,
And mussels grow on ev'ry tree;
When roses grow midst winter's snow
Then will my love return to me.

cho: O waly, waly, but love is bonnie
A little time when it is new.
But when it's old, it groweth cold
And fades away like morning dew.

O had I wist, before I kissed
That love had been so ill to win;
I'd locked my heart in case of gold
And pinned it with a silver pin.

Note: Still another yet of the Waly, or Water is Wide
variations. This one is English, early 17'th century and
pretty. Words from different versions seem to be
interchangeable. See WALYWALY, WATRWIDE, GOBOUND
Recorded by Burl Ives
RG