| Padraic Colum (1881–1972). Anthology of Irish Verse. 1922. |
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| 33. The Lambs on the Green Hills Stood Gazing on Me |
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| By Anonymous |
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| THE lambs on the green hills stood gazing on me, | |
| And many strawberries grew round the salt sea, | |
| And many strawberries grew round the salt sea, | |
| And many a ship sailed the ocean. | |
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| And bride and bride’s party to church they did go, | 5 |
| The bride she rode foremost, she bears the best show, | |
| But I followed after with my heart full of woe, | |
| To see my love wed to another. | |
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| The first place I saw her ’twas in the church stand, | |
| Gold rings on her finger and love by the hand, | 10 |
| Says I, “My wee lassie, I will be the man | |
| Although you are wed to another.” | |
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| The next place I saw her was on the way home, | |
| I ran on before her, not knowing where to roam, | |
| Says I, “My wee lassie, I’ll be by your side | 15 |
| Although you are wed to another.” | |
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| The next place I saw her ’twas laid in bride’s bed, | |
| I jumped in beside her and did kiss the bride; | |
| “Stop, stop,” said the groomsman, “till I speak a word, | |
| Will you venture your life on the point of my sword? | 20 |
| For courting so slowly you’ve lost this fair maid, | |
| So begone, for you’ll never enjoy her.” | |
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| Oh, make my grave then both large, wide and deep, | |
| And sprinkle it over with flowers so sweet, | |
| And lay me down in it to take my last sleep, | 25 |
| For that’s the best way to forget her. | |
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