Pretty fair maid was in her garden

When a stranger came a-riding by

He came up to the gate and called her

Said pretty fair maid would you be my bride

She said I've a true love who's in the army

And he's been gone for seven long years

And if he's gone for seven years longer

I'll still be waiting for him here

Perhaps he's on some watercourse drowning

Perhaps he's on some battlefield slain

Perhaps he's to a fair girl married

And you may never see him again

Well if he's drown, I hope he's happy

Or if he's on some battlefield slain

And if he's to some fair girl married

I'll love the girl that married him

He took his hand out of his pocket

And on his finger he wore a golden ring

And when she saw that band a-shining

A brand new song her heart did sing

And then he threw his arms all around her

Kisses gave her one, two, three

Said I'm your true and loving soldier

That's come back home to marry thee

Pretty fair maid was in her garden

When a stranger came a-riding by

He came up to the gate and called her

Said pretty fair maid would you be my bride