The False Bride

(album: It's Sandy Denny - 1970)

I once loved a lass and I loved her so well
And I hated all others who spoke of her ill
And now she's rewarded me well for my love
For she's gone and she's wed another

And I saw my love up to the church go
With bridesmen and bridesmaidens she made a fine show
And I followed on with my heart full of woe
For she's gone and she's wed another

I saw my love as she sat down to dine
I sat down beside her and poured the wine
And I thought of the lassie that should have been mine
I thought her sweet company better than meat
Now she's gone and she's wed another

All the men in yon forest they asked of me
How many strawberries grow in a salt sea?
And I answer them with a tear in my e'e
How many ships sail in the forest?

Oh, dig me a grave and dig it sae deep
And cover it over with wee flowers sae sweet
And I lay me down for to take a long sleep
And maybe in time I'll forget her

So they dug him a grave and they dug it sae deep
And they covered it over with wee flowers sae sweet
And he lay him down for to take a long sleep
And maybe in time he'll forget her