Cat. #0194 (MFH #361) - As sung by Charley W. Igenthron, Walnut Shade, Missouri on July 17, 1958
VERSE 1
As I was a roving one morning in spring
To view th sweet flowers and th meadows, so green
I saw a young damsel, she appeared like a queen
With her costly fine robes and her mantle, so green
VERSE 2
Says I, my pretty fair maid, if you'll go with me
I'll join you in wedlock and married we'll be
I'll dress you in scarlet, as you 'ppear like a queen
With your costly fine robes and your mantle, so green
VERSE 3
O no, kind sir, you must be refused
For I'll wed with no man, you must be refused
Those green hills I've wandered for to shun all mens views
For th lad that I love lies, in Fenn Waterloo
VERSE 4
Now, since you are not married, pray tell me your loves name
For I've been in many a battle an' I might have known th name
Draw near to my garments and there you'll behold
His name and his surname, in letters of gold
VERSE 5
On reaching her garments, there I did behold
His name and his surname, in letters of gold
Young William O'Riley, it appeared in my views
He was my chief commarade, at Fenn Waterloo
VERSE 6
We fought so victorious, th bullets did fly
On th plains of Nor-regions, your true love does lie
We fought for three days, until th fourth afternoon
He received his death summons, on the eighteenth of June
VERSE 7
As he lay a dying, I heard his last cries
Draw near loveli Nancy, consenting I die
Now, peace is provided and th truth I'll declare
Here is your loves token on th ring that I wear
VERSE 8
She stood in amazement and paler she grew
She flew from my arums with a heart full of woe
Saying, those green hills I've wandered, for th lad that I love
Return lovely Nancy, your grief I'll remove
VERSE 9
Lovely Nancy, lovely Nancy, t'was I win your heart
In your fathers green gardens, where last we did part
Where I held you in me arums, beneath th shade trees
With your costly fine robes and your mantle, so green
VERSE 10
Now, this couple was married, I've heard people say
There were noble entertainments on their wedding day
Now, peace is provided and th wars 'er all o'er
Your welcome, loveli Nancy, to me arums once more