As I was a-walking one morning in spring
To see the green fields, hear the colley bird sing,
I met a young lady a-making her mourn,
Oh, I am a stranger and a long way from home.
I came from sweet England with mother and dad;
We thought in America all might be had.
Of gold and silver and riches galore,
And never need hunger in poverty more.
But alas, for sweet England! my father is dead,
And mother can earn but a little for bread,
And I weep as I gaze o'er the far distant main
For a fine ship to take me to England again.
I've an aunt in the country, she lives all alone,
She'd welcome and love me as I were her own.
I'd nurse her in sickness and tend her in pain
And thank God I was back in sweet England again.