Lyrics

The lambs on the green hill oh they sport and they play
And there’s many’s the ship sails the ocean

I courted a wee girl for three year or more
I slighted all others for I loved her so dear
And the answer she gave me when I asked her to wed
She was gone to be wed to another

Oh the bride and bridegroom to the church they did go
The bride she went forward she took the best show
And I followed after with me heart full of woe
Oh to see my love wed to another

Oh the first place I saw her it was in the church stand
Gold rings on her finger her love by the hand
Oh said I my wee darling I will be your man
All the more you are wed to another

Oh the next place I saw her it was on the way home
I ran on before her not knowing where to roam
Oh said I my wee darling I will be by your side
All the more you are wed to another

Oh the next place I saw her we sat down to eat
I sat down beside her not a bite could I eat
For I loved that wee darling far more than my meat
All the more she is wed to another

Oh the next place I saw her it was in the groom’s bed
I got in beside her and I covered my head
Oh said I my wee darling can I sleep by your side
All the more you are wed to another

Stop stop said the bridegroom let me speak but one word
Would you venture your life on the point of my sword
You have lost your wee darling by courting too slow
So begone for you’ll never enjoy her

So it’s dig me a grave dig it large deep and wide
And cover it over with red roses wide
And lay me down gently for to take my last sleep
It’s the only best way to forget her
It’s the only best way to forget her

see also   The lambs on the green hills / Michael McGonigle (James Eoghain)