[Verse 1]
One morning, one morning, one morning in May
I spied a young couple a wandering away
One was a lady as fair as can be
The other was a soldier and a brave lad was he

[Verse 2]
Said the soldier to the lady, "Oh where are you going?"
"Just down by the orchard, just down by the tree"
"Just down by the orchard, just down by the tree"
"To see the waters gliding and the nightingale sing"

[Verse 3]
They had not been there an hour or two
'Til from his satchel a fiddle he drew
He played a message that made the hills ring
"Hark hark," said the lady, "hear the nightingale sing"

[Verse 4]
Said the lady to the soldier, "Will you marry me?"
"Oh no," cried the soldier, "that never can be!"
I have a wife in Columbus and children twice three
One wife is a plenty too many for me

[Verse 5]
"Young lady, young lady, take warning by me"
"Don't place your affection on a soldier so free"
"Dont place your affection on a soldier so free"
"You'll be deceived like mine has done me"