Lyrics

Come all you pretty fair maids and listen to my rhyme
Concerning a young damsel being was scarcely in her prime
She beats the blooming roses admired by all around
Some called her blooming Caroline of Edinburgh Town

Young Henry being a highland lad courting to her came
And when her parents heard of it got angry at the same
Young Henry got offended and this to her did say
Arise up blooming Caroline and with me come away

Sure we’ll go down to London to London at great speed
We’ll go down to London town and live happy there indeed
She bundled up her costly robes as the tears came rolling down
And away went blooming Caroline from Edinburgh town

Oh they had not been long in London scarcely half a year
When cruel hearted Henry began to prove severe
He listed in the English fleet to fight for King and crown
Saying beg your way make no delay to Edinburgh Town

See how this fair maid wanders see how she walks alone
And how can she live on such fruit that grows upon the ground
Some people they do pity her while others on her frown
And some will say what made her stray from Edinburgh Town

Beneath the shade of an old oak tree this maiden sat down to cry
That she might watch the English fleet as they were passing by
She gave three sighs for Henry and plunged her body down
And away went blooming Caroline from Edinburgh town

Her bonnet and likewise a note was found upon the shore
And in this note these lines were wrote alas I am no more
On the bottom deep lies fast asleep and the small fish watching round
I was once called blooming Caroline from Edinburgh town

see also   Caroline of Edinburgh town / Ellen Ann Byrne   Caroline of Edinburgh town / James McGonigle   Caroline of Edinburgh town / Pat McDaid