The Printer’s Bride

[Verse 1]
Come all young men and tender ladies
And hear a story I will impart
Of the sad and awful tragic ending
Of the printer and his poor sweetheart

[Verse 2]
A pretty young girl was courted by a printer
He promised to ever stand by her side
He vowed a vow most firm and strongly
That she should be his lawful bride

[Verse 3]
When his old parents came to know this
They walked green fields and meadows wide
Saying, "Son, oh son, don't be so foolish
For she's too poor for the printer's bride"

[Verse 4]
He knelt down on his knees before them
Saying, "Father, father, have pity on me
Don't keep me from my heart's desire
For she is all this world to me"

[Verse 5]
This young lady when she came to know this
She walked green fields and meadows wide
Until she come some fair broad water
And there she sat her down and cried

[Verse 6]
Then she drew out a golden dagger
Pressed it through her snow-white breast
Saying, "Fare you well, my own true lover
I'm going away to the home of rest"

[Verse 7]
This young man being out upon the water
Fancied he heard a dying groan
He rowed, he rowed, like one distracted
Saying, "Oh, I'm ruined, I'm left alone"

[Verse 8]
He lifted up the dying body
And folded her gently in his arms
Saying, "Is there any doctor can save you
Or must you die all in your charms?"

[Verse 9]
She fixed her dying eyes upon him
Saying, "True lover, you come too late
But try to meet me up yonder in heaven
Where all our joys will be complete"

[Verse 10]
He then picked up the bloody weapon
And passed it through his tender heart
Saying, "Let this be a warning to parents
Never to keep true lovers apart"