The Cruel Youth
Words & Music:
Traditional American
C
F
C
There was a youth, a cruel
youth, he lived beside the sea.
F
C
G7
C
Six pretty maidens he drowned
there by the lonely willow tree.
As he walked forth with Sally
Brown, as he walked by the sea.
An evil thought came into his
mind by the lonely willow tree.
"Now, turn your back to
the waterside, your face to the willow tree.
Six pretty maidens I've drowned
here, and you the seventh shall be.Ó
"But first take off your
golden gown, take off your gown," said he.
"For though I'm going to
murder you, I'll not spoil your finery."
"Then turn around, you
cruel young man, turn around," said she.
"For it's not right that
such a youth a naked woman should see."
Then Ôround he turned, that
cruel young man, Ôround about turned he.
And seizing him boldly in both
arms, she threw him into the sea
"Lie there, lie there,
you cruel young man, lie there, lie there," said she.
"Six pretty maidens
you've drowned here, now go keep them company."
He sank beneath the icy waves,
he sank beneath the sea
No living thing cried a tear
for him, but the lonely willow tree.