Gown of Green, The

The Gown of Green

Roud 1085

Sung by Jack Norris, of Cuckfield, Sussex. On Come Let Us Buy the Licence: Songs of Courtship & Marriage, The Voice of the People Volume 1.

1. As a soldier was walking all on the highway,
   Being weary of travelling for many a long day,
   Oh, he met a lovely woman with a baby in her arms
   Who that she kissed and said, "I wish your father would return".
   
   
2. "Oh, good morning, my fair creature, I'm proud to meet you here
   With that sweet baby in your arms that you love so dear.
   Oh, I think I know the father, and you before I've seen.
   Don't you remember the day, my dear, you wore the gown of green?"
   
   
3. "Oh, it's many battles have I fought all on the raging main,
   And many battles have I fought in Portugal and Spain,
   But it's now that I've returned again with plenty of gold in store,
   I mean to make you my lawful bride and roam abroad no more."
   
   
4. "So come let us buy the licence all on this very day,
   And then we will get married, love, without any more delay.
   With our pretty little prattling babies some pleasures may be seen,
   That you will never regret the day you wore the gown of green.
   With our pretty little prattling babies some pleasures may be seen,
   That you may never regret the day you wore the gown of green."