(Trad)
Ye muses divine, combine and lend me your aid
To pen these few lines for I find that my heart is betrayed
By a virgin most pure who is dearer to me than my life
And from me she is flown and is known as the red-haired man's wife
Remember the day when you gave unto me your true heart
You solemnly swore that never no more we would part
But your mind's like an ocean, each notion has taken her flight
And left me bewailing the tale of the red-haired man's wife
A letter I'll send with a friend down to the sea-shore
To let her understand I'm the man that does her adore
And if she'd but leave that slave, I'd forfeit my life
She'd live like a lady and ne'er be the red-haired man's wife
I offered a favour and sealed it with my own hand
She thus answered and said, Would you lead me to break the command
So take it easy, since nature has caused so much strife
I was given away and will stay as the red-haired man's wife
May my life never end or my yearning for passion abate
Till I and my darling recline 'neath the pleasant trees' shade
No one to be near us but the blackbird in the green leaves alone
And the red-headed man in his grave with his head 'neath a stone
My darling sweet Phoenix, if now you would be my own
For the patriarch David had a number of wives, it's well known
So yield to my embraces and straight put an end to all strife
Or else I'll run crazy, or gain the red-headed man's wife
(as sung by Kevin Mitchell)