Early One Morning (Anonymous)

Early one morning, Just as the sun was rising, I heard a maiden sing, In the valley below.

O, don't deceive me, O, never leave me, How could you use A poor maiden so?

Remember the vows, That you made to your Mary, Remember the bower, Where you vowed to be true,

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Gay is the garland, And fresh are the roses, I've culled from the garden, To place upon thy brow.

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Thus sang the poor maiden, Her sorrows bewailing, Thus sang the poor maid, In the valley below.

Refrain Alternate Lyrics: Early one morning, just as the sun was rising, I heard a maid sing in the valley below: "Oh don't deceive me, Oh never leave me, How could you use a poor maiden so?

"Remember the vows that you made to me truly; Remember how tenderly you nestled close to me. Gay is the garland, fresh are the roses I've culled from the garden to bind over thee.

"Here I now wander alone as I wonder Why did you leave me to sigh and complain? I ask of the roses, why should I be forsaken? Why must I here in sorrow remain?

"Through yonder grove, by the spring that is running, There you and I have so merrily played, Kissing and courting and gently sporting, Oh, my innocent heart you've betrayed!

"How could you slight so a pretty girl who loves you, A pretty girl who loves you so dearly and warm? Though love's folly is surely but a fancy, Still it should prove to me sweeter than your scorn.

"Soon you will meet with another pretty maiden, Some pretty maiden, you'll court her for a while; Thus ever ranging, turning and changing, Always seeking for a girl that is new."

Thus sang the maiden, her sorrows bewailing; Thus sang the poor maid in the valley below: "Oh don't deceive me, Oh never leave me, How could you use a poor maiden so?"