D C
A lady walked in yon wild wood,
G D
Beneath the holly tree,
D C
It was there she saw two bonnie bairns,
G D
There running at her knee.
D C
And the first she pulled a red, red rose,
G D
With hands as soft as silk,
D C
And the next she pulled a lily pale,
G D
With hands more white than milk.
D C
Why do you pull the red, red rose,
G D
And why the lily white?â?�
D C
We need them at the seat of grace,
G D
For the soul of thee tonight.â?�
D C
Oh bide with me you bonnie bairns,
G D
Ill dress you rich and fine,
D C
And for all the blackbirds in the woods,
G D
Youll eat white bread and wine."
D C
The stars were shooting to and fro,
G D
But the thorns she did abhor,
D C
As the lady followed the bonnie bairns,
G D
For three long hours and more.
D C
Where do you dwell you bonnie bairns,
G D
Im woe and weary grownâ?�,
D C
We live where woe it never comes,
G D
In a land to flesh unknown.â?�
D C
They came unto a tree of beech,
G D
Two names carved in the bark,
D C
Do you see your name carved here lady,
G D
The other lies in the dark.â?�
D C
And she wept in vain and she wept full sore,
G D
For her love laid in the ground,
D C
And she wept until the stars gave way,
G D
Til the dawn it brought no sound.