| Padraic Colum (1881–1972). Anthology of Irish Verse. 1922. |
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| 36. Johnny’s the Lad I Love |
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| By Anonymous |
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| AS I roved out on a May morning, | |
| Being in the youthful spring, | |
| I leaned my back close to the garden wall, | |
| To hear the small birds sing. | |
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| And to hear two lovers talk, my dear, | 5 |
| To know what they would say, | |
| That I might know a little of her mind | |
| Before I would go away. | |
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| “Come sit you down, my heart,” he says, | |
| “All on this pleasant green, | 10 |
| It’s full three-quarters of a year and more | |
| Since together you and I have been.” | |
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| “I will not sit on the grass,” she said, | |
| “Now nor any other time, | |
| For I hear you’re engaged with another maid, | 15 |
| And your heart is no more of mine. | |
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| “Oh, I’ll not believe what an old man says, | |
| For his days are well nigh done. | |
| Nor will I believe what a young man says, | |
| For he’s fair to many a one. | 20 |
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| “But I will climb a high, high tree, | |
| And rob a wild bird’s nest, | |
| And I’ll bring back whatever I do find | |
| To the arms I love the best,” she said, | |
| “To the arms I love the best.” | 25 |
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