Come all ye young men, who now go a courting,
Beware of choosing the girls from Sweet Bay.
So now like me you may get defeated
They'll scorn you with pride, when some other they see.

I courted this creature whenever I could reach her
For seven long years, in love did agree.
Until her old parents, they came to dislike it
They said they would banish my darling from me.

Her parents could beat her but they could not teach her
To love any other, she felt not inclined,
Until a deceiver, who came to mislead her,
Her eyes being not opened, she soon changed her mind.

Wherever I wander, I'll sit and I'll ponder,
And think on the hours, together we spend
In her own little greenwood, not far from her dwelling
She promised she loved me a time and again.

Farewell lovely Nancy, for since we have parted
Don't think for a moment you led me astray.
For the man who enjoys the first bloom of a blossom
Should have the best right to the fruit on the tree.