As I was walking out one day
All in the merry month of May
The birds did sing and the lambs did play
I met an old man by the way
The birds did sing and the lambs did play
I met an old man by the way
His head was bald, and his beard was grey
His cloak was of a myrtle shade
I asked him what strange countryman
Or what strange place did he belong
I asked him what strange countryman
Or what strange place did he belong
"My name is Death, oh can't you see?
Lords, Dukes and Earls bow down to me
And you are one of those branches three
And so fair maid you must go with me
And you are one of those branches three
And so fair maid you must go with me"
"I'll give you gold and I'll give you pearl
I'll give you costly robes to wear
I'll give you all I have in store
If you can let me live some more
I'll give you all I have in store
If you can let me live some more"
Oh lady lay your robes aside
No longer glory in your pride
And so, fair maid, make no delay
Your time is come, and you must away
And so, fair maid, make no delay
Your time is come, and you must away"
And not long after this fair maid died
"Write on my grave," this lady cried
"Here lies a poor and distressed maid
Whom lately Death, He hath betrayed
Here lies a poor and distressed maid
Whom lately Death, He hath betrayed"
