Now as I was a-walking one fine summer's morning,
Oh the fields and the meadows were pleasant and gay.
Who should I spy but a handsome young fair maid
As she was a-walking along the highway.
Oh, I stepped up to her and wished her a good morning,
"Where are you going so soon in the morn?"
She answered, "Kind sir, I'm a-going to Windsor,
"To that pleasant place where I was born."
"Well said, my fair maiden, and shall I go with you
For to keep your sweet company?"
She turned herself round and a-smiling so sweetly,
Said "Sir, you may do just as you please."
Oh we hadn't been walking past one mile together
Before that we better acquainted became,
And I said, "My fair maid, come and sit you down by me
And I will show to you a sweet pleasant game."
She said, "My kind sir, I'm not given to gaming,
But nevertheless so I'm willing to learn.
But the game that we play it must be all fours
And then I will hold you three to one."
So she cut the cards, but 't was my turn to deal them,
And I dealt myself one trump, it was only poor jack.
She had the ace and the deuce for to beat me
And they are the very best cards in the pack.
So she played off her ace and she took the jack from me,
't left her the high low jack in the game.
She said, "My kind sir, well I fairly beat you,
Or else we will play the game over again?"
Well I picked up my hat and I wished a good morning
And I left her high low jack and the game.
Then I said, "My fair maid, I'll be back in the morning,
And then we will play the game over again."