Once I knew a pretty girl
I loved her as my life
I'd gladly give my heart and hand
To make her my wife
Ooh, to make her my wife
She took me by the hand
She led me to the door
She put her arms around me
Saying, "Please don't come no more"
Ooh, please, come no more
Well, I'd not been gone but about six months
When she did complain
And she wrote me a letter
Saying, "Please come back again."
Ooh, please, come again
And I wrote her an answer
Just for to let her know
That no young man should venture
Where once he could not go

So come all you young lovers
Take a warning from me
And never place your affections
On a green growing tree
Ooh, on a green growing tree
Cause the leaves they will wither
Roots will decay
And the beauty of a young maid will soon fade away
Ooh, soon fade away