The Most Fair Beauty Bright

[Verse 1]
Oh, I once loved and courted a most fair beauty bright
Courted her by day and courted her by night
Oh, I courted her for love and her love I did obtain
Do you think I'd any reason or right to complain?

[Verse 2]
When her old parents they came for to know
They said with our daughter you shall never go
Well, they locked her in a dungeon, they kept her most severe
I could not enjoy the sight or the company of my dear

[Verse 3]
Well, away to the north to the wars he did go
To see whether he could forget his love or no
For seven long years fightin' for his King
And in seven years a-longer, it's he returned again

[Verse 4]
As I rode along then my arms a-shinin' bright
All in my mind was my own fair beauty bright
Her old parents saw me coming, they wrung their hands and cried
Sayin', "Daughter loved you dearly, and for your sake she died"

[Verse 5]
It struck me like a lamb, like a lamb that was slain
Tears from my eyes fell like showers of rain
Crying oh-oo-oh, this pain I cannot bear
My true love's in her grave, Lord, I wish that I was there