I Once Loved A Lass

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

I watched as my love did to the church go
With bride and bride-maidens she made a fine show
And I followed her on with a heart full of woe
To see my love be wed to another
To see my love be wed to another.

I watched as my love did sit down to dine
I sat down beside her and I poured out the wine
And I drank to the wee lass that should have been mine
But now she is wed to another.

"Well, stop," says the groomsman, "If you take my word
Would you venture your life on the point of a sword?
For courting too slowly you have lost this fair maiden
Begone, you will never enjoy her
Begone, you will never enjoy her".

Now the lads of the forest, they ask it of me
"How many strawberries grow 'round the salt sea?"
And I answer them back with a tear in my eye
"How many ships sail in the forest?"

Go dig me a grave all large, wide and deep
And cover it over with wild flowers sweet
And lay me down gently for to take my long sleep
And that's the best way to forget her.

So we dug him a grave all large, wide and deep
And covered it over with wild flowers sweet
And we laid him down gently for to take his long sleep
And maybe by now he's forgotten
And maybe by now he's forgotten.