| In the cattails, a maid did dwell
|
| She sang sweet songs but she loved as well
|
| She was a bit over five feet tall
|
| And she loved no man for she loved them all
|
| In her bed many hours we lay
|
| While the north winds blow and the sparrows play
|
| And in my hand she placed a key
|
| Sayin', «Keep this my love, follow me»
|
| So I swore, for she knew me well
|
| I swore this love, I’d never tell
|
| She said for me, her soul, she’d sell
|
| Even if she must walk the fires of hell
|
| Her hair it rushed and flowed so long
|
| On a silken pillow, it did belong
|
| Her eyes were yellow like the mornin' sun
|
| And they were singin' each one a song
|
| And her skin was dark like a russet dawn
|
| Well in her hair would flow my tears
|
| Of my lonely days, and my bitter years
|
| And on her breast, my soul would sail
|
| And her mouth was as sweet, sweet as ale
|
| She was to me a golden cup
|
| That poured me life, for me to sup
|
| And in her heart was a lookin' glass
|
| And a sturdy ship with a highest mast
|
| For many days, I did remain
|
| Until one day, I forgot her name
|
| Then I knew I’d have to go
|
| From where the sparrows played
|
| And the north winds' blow
|
| But then one day, by the cattail pond
|
| My love was dyin', and then she was gone
|
| I buried her where the green grass grows
|
| And there she slept 'til the winter snows
|
| So I sang my sorrow to the trees
|
| And they said, «Go sing it to the breeze»
|
| Well I knew this love no man could believe
|
| So I buried my sorrow, my heart and my key |