Cat. #1464 (MFH #485) - As sung by Benson Fox, Leslie, Arkansas on September 18, 1972
VERSE 1
I went out strolling one evening in May
I spied a gay couple a making their way
O, one was a lady, a lady so fair
An' the other was a cowboy who wore th long hair
VERSE 2
Well, I hadn't been there but a moment or two
From out'a his budget, a fiddle h drew
Tuned up his fiddle, n' rosined his bow
An' he played a sweet tune that pleased his soul
VERSE 3
He played a sweet tune that made th valley ring
Hark, hark, said th lady, hear a Nightingale sing
Hark, hark, said th lady, will you marry me
No, no, said th cowboy, that never can be
With a wife on a cow ranch, an' children one, two, three
No, no, said th cowboy, that never can be
VERSE 4
Th cowboy siad, I'll go t' ole Mexico, I'll stay there one year
I'll drink th jet water an' I'll never touch beer
If ever I come back, it'll be in th spring
To see the water gliding, hear a Nightingale sing
(This is a good example of how songs get changed to fit the location.)