The Willow Song

Words & Music:

Traditional English

 

Em              B7 Em            G    D7         G       Em

A poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree; sing oh, the green willow.

Em       G           D7 G           Am            B7

With his hand on his bosom, and his head upon his knee.

 

CHORUS:

E7   A               D      Em

Sing willow, willow, willow, willow.

     B7                          E       Em B7        Em

Sing willow, willow, willow, willow; my garland shall be.

          G   D7    G               D7        G

Sing, oh, the green willow, willow, willow, willow.

C    G    B7    Em               Am    B7  Em

Sing, oh, the green willow my garland shall be.

 

He sighed in his singing and made a great moan; sing oh, the green willow.

I am dead to all pleasure, my true love is gone.

 

CHORUS:

 

The mute bird sat by him, was made tame by his moans; sing oh, the green willow.

The true tears fell from him would have melted the stones.

 

CHORUS:

 

Come all you forsaken and mourn you with me; sing oh, the green willow.

Who speaks of false love, mineÕs falser than she.

 

CHORUS:

 

Let Love no more boast her in palace nor bower, sing oh, the green willow.

It buds, but it blasteth, ere it be a flower.

 

CHORUS:

 

Thou fair and more false, I died with thy wound; sing oh, the green willow.

Thou hast lost the truest lover that goes upon the ground.

 

CHORUS:

 

Let nobody chide her, her frowns I approve; sing oh, the green willow.

She was born to be false and I to die of love.

 

CHORUS:

 

Take this for my farewell and latest adieu; sing oh, the green willow.

Write this on my tomb, that in love I was true.

 

CHORUS:

 

 





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