A blacksmith courted me / Nine months and better
He fairly won my heart / Wrote me a letter

With his hammer in his hand / He looked quite clever
And if I was with my love / I’d live for ever

But where is my love gone / With his cheeks like roses?
And his good black Billycock on / Decked round with primroses?

I’m afraid the scorching sun / Will shine and burn his beauty
And if I was with my love / I’d do my duty

Strange news is come to town / Strange news is carried
Strange news flies up and down / That my love is married

I wish them both much joy / Though they can’t hear me
And may God reward him well / For the slighting of me

Don’t you remember when / You lay beside me?
And you said you’d marry me / And not deny me?

If I said I’d marry you / It was only for to try you
So bring your witness love / And I’ll not deny you

No, witness have I none / Save God Almighty
And may he reward you well / For the slighting of me

Her cheeks grew pale and wan / It made her poor heart tremble
To think she loved that one /And he proved deceitful

A blacksmith courted me / Nine months and better
He fairly won my heart / Wrote me a letter

With his hammer in his hand / He looked quite clever
And if I was with my love / I’d live forever