The Nightingale

As I went a-walkin' one morning in May
I met a young couple, so fondly did stray
And one was a young maid, so sweet and so fair
And the other was a soldier and a brave grenadier

Chorus And they kissed to sweet and comfortin' as they clung to each other
They went arming along the road like sister and brother
They went arming along the road 'til they came to a stream
And they both sat down together, love, to hear the nightingale sing

Well, out of his napsack he took a fine fiddle
He played her such merry tunes that you ever did hear
He played her such merry tunes that the valley did ring
And softly cried the fair maid as the nightingale sings

(Chorus)

Oh, I'm off to India for seven long years
Drinking wines and strong whiskeys in stead of strong beers
And if ever I return again, 't will be in the spring
And we'll both sit down together, love, to hear the nightingale sing

(Chorus)

Well, then says the fair maid "Will you marry me"
"On no" says the soldier, "How ever can that be
For I've my own wife at home in my own country
And she's the finest little maid that you ever did see"

(Chorus)

Traditional. Performed by The Dubliners.