Cat. #0793 (MFH #485) - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on June 25, 1969
VERSE 1
One morning, one morning, one morning in May
I met a fair couple, mak'in their way
One was a lady an' a lady was she
The other was a soldier an a brave man was he
VERSE 2
Where are you going this beautiful day
I'm going to th river, cold water spring
I'm going to th river, cold water spring
T' see th water glide'in, hear th nightingale sing
VERSE 3
O, now, says th lady, I'm lonesome an' blue
I can tell by your action that you're lonesome too
We'll go t'gether, to that great spring
And see th water glide'in, hear th nightingale sing
VERSE 4
They hadn't been there but a hour or two
All out'a th satched a fiddle he drew
He played on th fiddle till th valleys did ring
Hark, hark, says th lady, hear th nightingale sing
VERSE 5
O, now says th soldier, I better now go
O no, says th lady, just play one tune more
I'd rather hear th fiddle, jest tap on th strings
See th water glide'in hear th nightingale sing
VERSE 6
He tuned up his fiddle in a higher a key
Played th Shamrock of Erin an' he played it so free
Played th Shamrock of Erin till th valleys did ring
T' see th water glide'in hear th nightingale sing
VERSE 7
O, now, says th lady will you marry me, see
O no, said th soldier, that can never be
Have a wife in Missouri, childring have three
Two women in th army's, to many for me
VERSE 8
I'll go back to London n' I'll stay three long yeas
Instead of cold water, drink port wine an' beer
An' if ever I return it'll be in th spring
To see th water glide'n, hear th nightingale sing