-
Title
-
To hear the nightingale sing
-
Singer
-
Kemble, Edward
-
Song Lyrics
-
Verse 1
It was early one morning in the month of May,
When I saw a young couple together at play;
One was a pretty fair maid, whose beauty shone clear,
And the other was a soldier, a bold Grenadier.
Verse 2
There were kisses and sweet compliments they gave to each other,
They went hand in hand, like sister and brother,
They went hand in hand, till they came to a spring,
Where they both sat together to hear the nightingale sing.
Verse 3
He undid his knapsack and drew out a long fiddle,
He put one arm round her, yes, right round her middle;
He played her a merry tune, which made the valleys ring -
'Oh hark!' said the fair maid, 'How the nightingales sing!'
Verse 4
'Oh now,' said the soldier, 'It is time to give o'er.'
'Oh no,' said the fair maid, 'Play me one tune more.
For the listening of your music and the touching of your string,
I'd rather much more have it than to hear the nightingale sing.
Verse 5
Oh now,' said the fair maid, 'Will you marry me?'
'Oh no,' said the soldier, 'That never can be.
I've a wife and three children in my own country,
Such a nice little woman as ever you did see.
Verse 6
I am bound for old India for seven long years,
To drink wine and whisky instead of strong beers;
But if ever I return again, may it be in the spring,
Then we'll both sit down together to hear the nightingale sing.'
