In the cattails, a maid did dwell
She sang sweet songs but she loved as well
She was a bit over five feet tall
And she loved no man for she loved them all
In her bed many hours we lay
While the north winds blow and the sparrows play
And in my hand she placed a key
Sayin', "Keep this my love, follow me"
So I swore, for she knew me well
I swore this love, I'd never tell
She said for me, her soul, she'd sell
Even if she must walk the fires of hell
Her hair it rushed and flowed so long
On a silken pillow, it did belong
Her eyes were yellow like the mornin' sun
And they were singin' each one a song
And her skin was dark like a russet dawn
Well in her hair would flow my tears
Of my lonely days, and my bitter years
And on her breast, my soul would sail
And her mouth was as sweet, sweet as ale
She was to me a golden cup
That poured me life, for me to sup
And in her heart was a lookin' gla**
And a sturdy ship with a highest mast
For many days, I did remain
Until one day, I forgot her name
Then I knew I'd have to go
From where the sparrows played
And the north winds' blow
But then one day, by the cattail pond
My love was dyin', and then she was gone
I buried her where the green gra** grows
And there she slept 'til the winter snows
So I sang my sorrow to the trees
And they said, "Go sing it to the breeze"
Well I knew this love no man could believe
So I buried my sorrow, my heart and my key