Am                    G         Em         Am
A blacksmith courted me, nine months and better
Am                    G         Em         Am
He fairly won my heart; he wrote me a letter
           C           Em         Am        G     
With his hammer in his hand, he looked so clever,
       Am               Em           C           Am
And if I were with my love, I would live forever.

Am                    G               Em         Am
"O, where is my love gone, with his cheeks like roses?
Am                    G         Em         Am
He is gone across the sea, gathering primroses
           C           Em         Am                   G
I'm afraid the shining sun might burn and scorch his beauty,
       Am               Em           C           Am
And if I were with my love, I would do my duty.

Am                           G             Em         Am
"Strange news is a-come to town, strange news is a-carried,
Am                           G         Em         Am
Strange news flies up and down that my love is a-married
           C              Em         Am               G
O, I wish them both much joy, though they don't hear me
       Am               Em           C           Am
And if I were with my love, I would do my duty.

Am                         G         Em         Am
"O, what did you promise me when you lay beside me?
Am                    G         Em         Am
You said you'd marry me, and not deny me."
           C           Em         Am        G
"If I said I'd marry you, 'twas only to try you,
       Am               Em           C           Am
So bring your witness, love, and I'll not deny you."

Am                    G         Em         Am
"O, witness have I none save God Almighty
Am                    G               Em         Am
And may He reward you well for the slighting of me."
           C           Em         Am                  G
Her lips grew pale and wan; it made her poor heart tremble
       Am               Em           C           Am
For to think she had loved one, and he proved deceitful.

Am                    G         Em         Am
A blacksmith courted me, nine months and better
Am                    G         Em         Am
He fairly won my heart; he wrote me a letter
           C           Em         Am        G
With his hammer in his hand, he looked so clever,
       Am               Em           C           Am
And if I were with my love, I would live forever.