As I Roved Out

As I roved out on a May mornin'

On a May mornin', right early

I spied my love upon the way

Oh Lord, but she was early

Her shoes were black, her stockings white

And her buckles shone like silver

She had a dark and rovin' eye

And her earrings touched her shoulders

(Chorus)

And she sang:

"A lith a dlddle, lith a diddle lith a dlddle dee

Cha hiddle hundiddy, cha hiddle hundiddy

and cha lan day"

And she sang:

"A lith a dlddle, lith a diddle lith a dlddle dee

Cha hiddle hundiddy, cha hiddle hundiddy

and cha lan day

and cha lan day"

How old are you my bonny be girl

how old are my darlin'

How old are you my bonny be girl

"I'll be seventeen on Sunday"

While I went to her house at the top of the hill

And the moon was shinin' clearly

She arose to let me in

but her mother chanced to hear me

(Chorus)

When she caught her by the hair of the head

And out of the room, she brought her

And with the root of a hazel branch

She was the well-beat daughter.

"Will you marry me now, me soldier boy?

Will you marry me now, or never?

Will you marry me now, me soldier boy?

Can you see I'm done forever?"

Well I won't marry you, my bonnie be girl

Well I won't marry you, my darlin'

For I have got a wife at home

And how can I disown her?

(Chorus)

Well, a pint at night is my delight

And a gallon in the mornin'

The old women' they are my heartbreak

But the young ones are my darlin's

As I roved out on a May morning

On a May morning, right early

I spied my love upon the way

Oh Lord, but she was early

(Chorus)

And she sang:

"A lith a dlddle, lith a diddle lith a dlddle dee

Cha hiddle hundiddy, cha hiddle hundiddy

and cha lan day

and cha lan day."