Get down, get down, Love Henry, she cried
And stay all night with me
I have gold chains, and the finest I have
I'll apply them all to thee

I can't get down and I shan't get down
Or stay all night with thee
Some pretty little girl in Cornersville
I love far better than thee

He layed his head on a pillow of down
Kisses she gave him three
With a penny knife that she held in her hand
She murdered mortal he

Get well, get well, Love Henry, She cried
Get well, get well, said she
Oh don't you see my own heart's blood
Come flowin' down so free?

She took him by his long yellow hair
And also by his feet
She plunged him into well water, where
It runs both cold and deep

Lie there, lie there, Love Henry, she cried
till the flesh rots off your bones
Some pretty little girl in Cornersville
Will mourn for your return

Hush up, hush up, my parrot, she cried
And light on my right knee
The doors to your cage shall be decked with gold
And hung on a willow tree

I won't fly down, I can't fly down
And light on your right knee
A girl who would murder her own true love
Would kill a little birdlike me