Rejected Lover (traditional)

Once I knew a pretty girl
I loved her as my life
And I'd gladly give my heart and hand
To make her my wife
Ooh to make her my wife

She took me by the hand
She led me to the door
And she put her arms around me
Sayin', "Please don't come no more
Ooh please come no more"

And I'd not been gone but six months
When she did complain
And wrote me a letter
Sayin', "Please come back again
Ooh please come again"

And I wrote her an answer
Just for to let her know
No young man could venture
Where once he could not go
Ooh he once he could not go

So come on ye true-lovers
Take a warnin' from me
And never place your affections
On a green growin' tree
Ooh a green growin' tree

"For the leaves they will whither
The roots will decay
The beauty of a fair maid
Will soon fade away
Ooh will soon fade away"

Once I knew a pretty girl
I loved her as my life