The False Young Man

As I walked out one morning in Spring
For to hear the little birds sing,
I leaned myself against an old oak tree
For to see two lovers meet.

For to see two lovers meet, my dear,
And hear what they did say,
That I might learn a little more of their mind
Before l was forced away.

Before I was forced away,
Before I was forced away,
That I might learn a little more of their mind
Before I was forced away.

Come in, come in, my old true love,
And sit you down by me,
For it has been three-quarters of a year
Since together we have been.

Since together we have been, my dear,
Since together we have been,
For it has been three quarters of a year
Since together we have been.

I can't come in, my old true love,
For I ain't got a moment to stay,
For I heard you give your heart to another young man,
And I've no more time to stay.

I've climbed as high a tree as there is,
And l've robbed as rich a nest,
And I've come down without e'er a fall,
And I'll marry who I do love best.

From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, Sharp
Collected from Mrs. Gabriel Coates, TN, 1916
RG