Down in the meadows the other day
A-gath-ring flowers both fine and gay
A-gath-ring flowers,both red and blue
I little thought what love could do
I leaned my back against an oak
Thinking it was a trusty tree
But first he bended,then he broke
So did my love prove false to me
Must I be bound, oh, and he go free?
Must I love one that don't love me ?
Why should I act such a childish part?
And love a man that will break my heart ?
There is a ship sailing on the sea
She's loaded deep as deep can be
But not so deep as the love I'm in
I care not if I sink or swim