There were three sisters in the wood, o fair flowers of the valley

And there they met a robber bold, and the birds they sang so sweetly

He showed the eldest his weapon knife o fair flowers of the valley

Will you go with me or lose your life, and the birds they sang so sweetly

O I'd rather that I lose my life, o fair flowers of the valley

Before I'd be a robbers wife, and the birds they sang so sweetly

Then with his knife so keen and sharp, o fair flowers of the valley

He pierced that maiden through the heart, and the birds they sang so sweetly

He showed the second his weapon knife, o fair flowers of the valley

Will you go with me or lose your life, and the birds they sang so sweetly

O I'd rather that I lose my life, o fair flowers of the valley

Before I'd be a killer's wife, and the birds they sang so sweetly

Then with his knife so keen and sharp, o fair flowers of the valley

He pierced that maiden through the heart

And the birds they sang so sweetly

He showed the youngest his weapon knife, o fair flowers of the valley

Will you be mine or lose your life, and the birds they sang so sweetly

O I will never be your wife, o fair flowers of the valley

Nor do I fear to lose my life, and the birds they sang so sweetly

For I have a brother in these woods, o fair flowers of the valley

For many years an outlaw bold, and the birds they sang so sweetly

Before he'd let me be your wife, o fair flowers of the valley

He'd quickly take away your life, and the birds they sang so sweetly

Oh sister dear what have I done, o fair flowers of the valley

For now I know I'm your brother John, and the birds they sang so sweetly

He put his knife against his heart, o fair flowers of the valley

And from his sister he did part, and the birds they sang so sweetly