[Verse 1]
As I was a-walking one morning in May
I spied a young couple a-making of hay
And one was a fair maid and her beauty shone clear
And the other was a soldier in the bold grenadiers

[Verse 2]
Well a-walking and a-talking and a-walking together
Walking so far about til they couldn't a wither
Then they sat themselves down by a clear crystal spring
All for to see the flowers grow and hear the nightingale sing

[Verse 3]
Then with kisses and with compliments he put his arm round her middle
And out from his knapsack he drew forth a fiddle
And he played her such a merry tune it made the groves and valleys ring
"Oh hark, hark" cried the lady, "how the nightingales sing"

[Verse 4]
"Now" said the soldier "it is time to give o’er"
"Oh no" cried the lady "let's have one tune more
For I do like your music and the touch of your string
Oh I do love to see the flowers grow and hear the nightingale sing"

[Verse 5]
"Now" said the lady "will you marry me?"
"Oh no", cried the soldier "that never can be
For I have a wife in my own country
And so fair a lady as you ever did see"
"Oh no" cried the soldier "that never can be"
"For I have a wife at home and children three"
"But if ever I return it will be in the spring
All for to see the flowers grow and hear the nightingale sing"