There was a lady lived in York
All alone and lonely
She fell in love with her father's clerk
Down by the greenwood side
She loved him well, she loved him long
All alone and lonely
She grew with child as the year drew on
Down by the greenwood side
She leaned her back against an oak
All alone and lonely
First it bowed and then it broke
Down by the greenwood side
She leaned her back against a thorn
All alone and lonely
And there her two bonny babes were born
Down by the greenwood side
She took a penknife, long and sharp
All alone and lonely
She pierced it through their tender hearts
Down by the greenwood side
She dug a hole, both wide and deep
All alone and lonely
She threw them in and bid them sleep
Down by the greenwood side
She wiped the knife all on the gra**
All alone and lonely
But the more she wiped, the blood ran fast
Down by the greenwood side
She washed her hands all in the spring
All alone and lonely
Thought to return a maid again
Down by the greenwood side
But as she returned to her father's hall
All alone and lonely
She espied two babes a-playing at the ball
Down by the greenwood side
"Oh babes, oh babes, if you were mine
All alone and lonely
I would dress you up in the silk so fine
Down by the greenwood side."
"Oh, mother dear, we once were thine
All alone and lonely
But you didn't dress us in the silk so fine
Down by the greenwood side
"For you took a penknife long and sharp
All alone and lonely
You pierced it through our tender hearts
Down by the greenwood side."
"Oh babes, oh babes, what must I do
All alone and lonely
For this cruel deed I have done to you
Down by the greenwood side?"
"It's seven years to wash and wring
All alone and lonely
It's seven years to card and spin
Down by the greenwood side
"Seven years as an owl in the wood
All alone and lonely
Seven years as a fish in the flood
Down by the greenwood side
"And seven years to toll the bell
All alone and lonely
Seven years in the flames of Hell
Down by the greenwood side."