John Clare - Ballad lyrics

A faithless shepherd courted me He stole away my liberty When my poor heart was strange to men He came and smiled and stole it then When my apron would hang low Me he sought through frost and snow When it puckered up with shame And I sought him, he never came When summer brought no fears to fright He came to guard me every night When winter nights did darkly prove None came to guard me or to love I wish, I wish, but all in vain I wish I was a maid again A maid again I cannot be O when will green gra** cover me?