HE. PRITHEE, pretty maiden—prithee, tell me true
(Hey, but I’m doleful, willow, willow waly!)
Have you e’er a lover a-dangling after you?
Hey, willow waly O!
I would fain discover
If you have a lover?
Hey, willow waly O!
SHE. Gentle sir, my heart is frolicsome and free—
(Hey, but he’s doleful, willow, willow waly!)
Nobody I care for comes a-courting me—
Hey, willow waly O!
Nobody I care for
Comes a-courting—therefore,
Hey, willow waly O!
HE. Prithee, pretty maiden, will you marry me?
(Hey, but I’m hopeful, willow, willow waly!)
I may say, at once, I’m a man of propertee—
Hey, willow waly O!
Money, I despise it,
But many people prize it,
Hey, willow waly O!
SHE. Gentle sir, although to marry I design—
(Hey, but he’s hopeful, willow, willow waly!)
As yet I do not know you, and so I must decline.
Hey, willow waly O!
To other maidens go you—
As yet I do not know you,
Hey, willow waly O!