6 Choral Folksongs, H. 136: V. I Love My Love

Abroad as I was walking, one evening in the spring,

I heard a maid in Bedlam so sweetly for to sing,

Her chains she rattled with her hands, and thus replied she,

‘I love my Love because I know my Love loves me!

‘O cruel were his parents who sent my Love to sea,

And cruel was the ship that bore my Love from me;

Yet I love his parents since they’re his although they’ve ruined me.

I love my Love because I know my Love loves me!

‘With straw I’ll weave a garland, I’ll weave it very fine

With roses, lilies, daisies, I’ll mix the eglantine;

And I’ll present it to my Love when he returns from sea

For I love my Love because I know my Love loves me.’

Just as she there sat weeping, her Love he came on land,

Then hearing she was in Bedlam, he ran straight out of hand,

He flew into her snow-white arms, and thus replied he:

‘I love my Love because I know my Love loves me.’

She said, ‘My Love don’t frighten me; are you my Love or no?’

‘Oh yes, my dearest Nancy, I am your Love also.

I am returned to make amends for all your injury

I love my Love because I know my Love loves me.’

So now these two are married, and happy may they be

Like turtledoves together, in love and unity.

All pretty maids with patience wait that have got Loves at sea;

I love my Love because I know my Love loves me.