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The Bunch of Thyme

Widespread across the world.
Mostly from oral tradition.


    Come all ye maidens young and fair,
    All you that are blooming in your prime,
    Always beware, and keep your garden fair,
    Let no man steal away your thyme.
         For time it is a precious thing,
         And time brings all things to my mind.
         Time with all its flavours, along with all its joys,
         Time brings all things to my mind.

    Once I had a bunch of thyme.
    I thought it never would decay,
    Then came a lusty sailor who chanced to pass my way,
    And stole my bunch of thyme away.
         For time it is a precious thing,
         And time brings all things to my mind.
         Time with all its flavours, along with all its joys,
         Time brings all things to my mind.

    The sailor gave to me a rose,
    A rose that never would decay.
    He gave it to me to keep me reminded
    Of when he stole my thyme away.
         For time it is a precious thing,
         And time brings all things to my mind.
         Time with all its flavours, along with all its joys,
         Time brings all things to my mind.


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