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.

 





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