The Green Wood Laddie

Ye muses assist me, there is none can resist me Only that fair one whom I do adore And the more that they tease me, he's the young man who can please me He'll be my green wood laddie 'til time is no more If you'd seen my dearest whose eyes shine the clearest His cheeks like the red blood that's new dropped in snow He is neat, tall and handsome, and his hands, warm and tender He'll be my green wood laddie whom I'd always adore My parents, my darling, they slight you with scorn Because you have no riches wrapped up in store And the more that they slight you, the more I'll entice you To be my green wood laddie 'til time is no more And it's down in yonder bower I spent many's the long hours A-plucking wild flowers by yon clear winding shore It was his stolen kisses caused my fondest wishes He'll be my green wood laddie whom I'll always adore And if I had the wealth of the East or West Indies Or if I had the gold of the African shore Or if I could gain thousands I would lie in your bosom You'd be my green wood laddie whom I'd always adore Traditional; arranged by Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill