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Title
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Once I courted a fair beauty bride
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Singer
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King, William
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Song Lyrics
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Verse 1
O once I courted a fair beauty bride,
And she was the joy and comfort of my life;
I courted her for love, it was for her love to gain,
And I'm sure she had no reason at all to complain.
Verse 2
As soon as her father came for to know,
That I courted his daughter and darling also,
O then he ordered me that I should be sent to sea,
Away from my Polly and her sweet company.
Verse 3
O then for a soldier I was forced for to go,
To see whether I could forget my love or no;
But as I entered in with my sword, it shone so bright,
I could not forget her by day, nor by night.
Verse 4
And when I returned unto my dearest dear,
O then to New Bedlam I was forced to draw near;
I asked her father for her, and he made this reply -
'She broke her heart in love, and for her love she died.'
Verse 5
'Don't tell me, don't tell me more than I can bear!
For if she's in a silent grave I wish I was there;
Then I should be free from all sorrow, grief and woe,
For I know not where to wander, nor where for to go.'
Verse 6
O then in New Bedlam this young man was confined,
And the thoughts of his Polly ran hard in his mind;
With the rattling of his chains on a straw bed he did lie,
And he called for his Polly till the day that he died.
