Oxford City

In Oxford City lived a lady
And she was beautiful and fair
Oh, she was courted by a sailor
And he did love her as his dear

He said, "My dear, let us get married
Let us now no longer stay
I'll work for you both late and early
If you my wedded bride will be"

The girl she loved him, but at a distance
She did not seem to be quite so fond
He said, "My dear, you seem to slight me
I'm sure you love some other man"

He saw her dancing with some other
A jealous thought came to his mind
And to destroy his own true love
He gave to her a glass of wine

So soon she drank it, so soon she felt it
"Oh hold me fast, my dear," said she
"Is it that glass of wine you gave me
Takes my innocent life away?"

"That glass of wine now which I gave you
That glass of wine did strong poison hide
For if you won't be my true lover
You'll never be no other man's bride

"That glass of wine which now I gave you
It's I have drinked of the same," he said
"So in each other's arms we'll die together
To warn young men of jealousy"

"Oh hark, oh hark, the cocks are crowing
The daylight now will soon appear
And into my cold grave I'm going
And it's you, Willie, who called me here"

DT #508
Laws P30
printed in Penguin Book of English Folk Songs
By Williams and Lloyd
SOF