As I went a walking one morning in May
I met a young couple so far did we stray
And one was a young maid so sweet and so fair
And the other was a soldier and a brave Grenadier

And they kissed so sweet and comfortable
As they clung to each other
Oh darling so long ago
Like sister and brother
And one was a young maid so sweet and so fair
And the other was a soldier and a brave Grenadier

Out of his knapsack he took a fine fiddle
He played her such merry tunes that you ever did hear
He played her such merry tunes that the valley did ring
And softly cried the fair maid as the nightingale sings

And they kissed so sweet and comfortable
As they clung to each other
Oh darling so long ago
Like sister and brother
And one was a young maid so sweet and so fair
And the other was a soldier and a brave Grenadier

And then, says the fair maid, will you marry me?
Oh no, says the soldier, however can this be?
For I've my own wife at home in my own country
And she is the finest little maid that you ever did see