’Tis of a young damsel that lived all alone,
For the sake of her parents she sadly did moan;
She had but one uncle, two trustees besides,
That were left all alone for this young lady’s guide.

'Twas down in yon valley a fair maid did dwell,
She lived with her uncle, they all knew full well.
'Twas down in yon valley where violets grew gay
Three gypsies betrayed her and stole her away.

As she was a walking in the meadows so low,
Her uncle was pleasèd that lovèd her so;
As she was a-walking in the meadows so gay,
Three gypsies betrayed her, they stole her away.

Long time she'd been missing and could not be found;
Her uncle, he searched the country around,
Till he came to the trustee, between hope and fear.
The trustee made answer, “She has not been here.”

Long time she’d been missing, nowhere could be found,
Her uncle he searched all the country round;
He went to the trustees twixt hope and despair,
But all was in vain for she had not been there.

The trustee spoke over with courage so bold,
“I fear she's been lost for the sake of her gold,
So we'll have life for life, sir,” the trustee did say,
“We'll send you to prison, and there you shall stay.”

And when that her uncle his tale he had told,
They swore he had slain her for the sake of her gold;
“It shall be death for death,” the trustees did cry,
“And cast into prison, condemned there to die.”

There was a young squire that loved her so,
Oft times to the schoolhouse together they did go.
“I'm afraid she's been murdered, so great is my fear.
If I'd wings like a dove I would fly to my dear.”

It’s of this young squire that lovèd her so,
Oft-times to the schoolhouse they together did go;
No rest could he find, both night and by day,
And in search of his lady he wandered away.

He travelled through England, through France and through Spain,
Till he ventured his life on the watery main.
And he came to a house where he lodged for a night,
And in that same house was his own heart's delight.

He travelled through Scotland, through France and through Spain,
He ventured his life o’er the watery main;
He went to an alehouse for to spend the night,
And in that same alehouse was his own heart’s delight.

When she saw him, she knew him, and fled to his arms;
She told him her grief while he gazed on her charms.
“How came you to Dublin, my dearest, I pray?”
“Three gypsies betrayed me and stole me away.”

“How came you in Flanders, in Flanders?” said he,
“How came you in Flanders, now pray tell to me.”
“As I was a-walking those meadows so gay,
Three gypsies betrayed me, they stole me away.”

“Your uncle's in England, in prison does lie,
And for your sweet sake is condemned for to die.
“Carry me to old England, my dearest,” she cried,
“One thousand I'll give thee, and will be your bride.”

“Your uncle’s in prison, in prison doth lie,
And for your sweet sake is condemned there to die.”
“Carry me home to my uncle, my uncle,” she cried,
“For I’ll give you thousand or I’ll be your bride.”

He says, “My dear jewel we’ll order it so,
Since love brings great danger to church let us go;
To church let us go love and be married indeed,
And straight to old England we’ll hie with all speed.”

When they came to old England her uncle to see,
The cart it was under the high gallows tree;
“Oh, pardon, oh, pardon, oh, pardon I crave.
I'm alive! I'm alive! your dear life to save!”

And when that they came old England to view,
The cart was drawn under the high gallows tree;
She down on her knees and for pardon did crave,
“You see I’m alive, sir, my uncle to save.”

Then from the high gallows they led him away,
The bells they did ring and the music did play.
Every house in that valley with mirth did resound,
As soon as they heard the lost lady was found.

“My parents they left me fifteen thousand pounds,
My uncle and two trustees to pay me my bounds;
To pay me my bounds, sir, as long as I live,
So now I’ll enjoy my young squire so brave.”