There Was a Knight
There was a knight and he was bold, a riding along the way, sir
There he met a lady fair among the tufts of hay, sir
Down derry down
Quoth he, "Both you and I lay we, among the grass lay down, oh
And I will take especial care of the rumpling of your gown, oh"
Down derry down
"If you go along with me unto my father's hall, sir
You shall enjoy my maidenhead, and my estate and all, sir"
Down derry down
So he mounted her on a milk-white steed, himself upon another
And then they rid upon the road, like sister and like brother
Down derry down
And when she came to her father's house, all moated round about, sir
She step-ped straight within the gate and shut this young lad out, sir
Down derry down
"Here is a purse of gold," said she, "take it for your pain, sir
And I will send my father's men to go home with you again, sir"
Down derry down
"And if you meet a lady fair as you go through the town, sir
You must not fear the dewy grass, nor the rumpling of her gown, sir"
Down derry down
"For if you meet this lady fair as you go through the hills, sir
If you will not when you may, you shall not when you will, sir!"
Down derry down