The Trees They Do Grow High

the trees they grow high, & the leaves they do grow green,
many is the time - my own true love ive seen.
many is the hour - i've watched him all alone.
he's young, but he's dai-ly growin'.

father, dear father, you've done me great wrong.
you've married me - to a boy who is too young.
i am twice twelve - and he is but fourteen.
he's young, but he's dai-ly growin'.

daughter, dear daughter, i've done you no wrong.
i've married you - to a brave lord's son.
he'll be a man to you, when i am dead and gone
he's young, but he's dai-ly growin'

father, dear father, if you see fit,
send him off to college, for one year yet.
i'll tie blue ribbons - all around his head.
to let the ladies know, that he's married.

one day as i was looking o'er my father's garden wall,
i spied the young boys - all playing with their ball.
my own true love - he was the fairest of them all.
he's young, but he's dai-ly growin'

at the age of 14 - he was a married man.
at the age of 15 - the father of a son.
at the age of 16 - on his grave the grass was green,
cruel death, had put an end, to his growin' . (pause) to his growin' .

i'll make my love a shroud - of the garden so fine.
every stitch i stitch on it - the tears come trickling down.
once i had a true love - but now nary a one.
but i'll watch, o'er his son, while he's growin' while he's growin