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Once I Had a True Love (i)

England and Scotland.
The words date from 1729 or earlier.
This tune is from Dorset, England.
See also Once I Had a True Love (ii) to another tune.


    As Sally sat a-weeping down by the seaside,
    As Sally sat a-weeping down by the seaside,
    What ails you my jewel, what ails you my jewel,
    What ails you my jewel, that do cause you to cry ?

    Because I am uneasy and troubled in mind,
    Because I am uneasy and troubled in mind,
    Here's no joy and comfort, here's no joy and comfort,
    Here's no joy and comfort in this world I can find.

    Once I had a true love but now I have none,
    Once I had a true love but now I have none,
    Since he's gone and left me, since he's gone and left me,
    Since he's gone and left me I'll never have one.

    Last night in sweet slumber I dreamed I did see,
    Last night in sweet slumber I dreamed I did see,
    My own desired jewel, my own desired jewel,
    My own desired jewel sit smiling by me.

    I'll set sail for Dublin, for France and for Spain,
    I'll set sail for Dublin, for France and for Spain,
    In hopes for to meet, in hopes for to meet,
    In hopes for to meet my dear jewel again.

    There's none that shall know the vows that I make,
    There's none that shall know the vows that I make,
    A bunch of green ribbons, a bunch of green ribbons,
    A bunch of green ribbons I'll wear for his sake.

    And when, in the churchyard, in grave I am laid,
    And when, in the churchyard, in grave I am laid,
    They'll say I've been constant, they'll say I've been constant,
    They'll say I've been constant to my dearest dear.


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