Game of All Fours

[Verse 1]
As I was a-walking one midsummer morning
To hear the birds whistle and the nightingales play
Was there that I met a beautiful maiden
As I was a-walking along the highway

[Verse 2]
"Where are you going, my fair pretty lady?
Where are you going so early this morn?"
She answered, "Kind sir, to visit my neighbours
I'm going down to Lincoln, the place I was born"

[Verse 3]
"Oh, may I go with you, my fair pretty lady?
May I go along in your sweet company?"
She turned her head round and smiling all at me
Said, "You may come with me, kind sir, if you please"

[Verse 4]
We hadn't been walking a few miles together
Before this young damsel began to show free
She sat herself down saying, "Sit down beside me
The game we shall play will be one, two and three"

[Verse 5]
I said, "My dear lady, if you're fond of the gaming
There's one game I know I would like you to learn
The game it is called The Game Of All Fours"
So I took out my pack and began the first turn

[Verse 6]
She cut the cards and I fell a-dealing
I dealt her a trump and myself the poor Jack
She led off her ace and stole the Jack from me
Saying, "Jack is the card I like best in your pack"

[Verse 7]
I dealt the last time, it's your turn to shuffle
My turn to show the best card in the pack
Once more she'd the ace and deuce for to beat me
Once more I lost and I laid down poor Jack

[Verse 8]
So I took up my hat and I bid her good morning
I said, "You're the best that I know at this game"
She answered, "Young man, come back tomorrow
We'll play the game over and over
And over and over and over and over again"