Green Grows the Laurel

When first in this country, a stranger, I came
In fair Dublin city, that place of great fame
It was my misfortune a fair one to see
It was the beginning of my misery
Green grows the laurel and sweet falls the dew
Sorry I was when I parted from you
But by our next meeting I hope you’ll prove true
And we’ll love one another, as lovers should do
If I were a clerk and could handle a pen
I would write my love a letter, to her I would send
Saying, Keep your own love, dear, and I will keep mine
Write to your sweetheart, and I’ll write to mine
Green grow the rushes and the tops of them small
And love is a thing that can conquer us all
The tulip may wellow, it may fade and die soon
But the red rose will flourish in the sweet month of June
O can’t you love little, o can’t you love long
Can’t you love a new love till your old one returns
Can’t you say that you love him, his mind for to ease
And when his back’s turned, can’t you love who you please?
Green grows the laurel and sweet falls the dew
Sorry I was when I parted from you
But by our next meeting I hope you’ll prove true
And we’ll love one another, as lovers should do