ALL AROUND MY HAT
-Traditional
CHORUS: All around my hat, I will wear the green willow
And all around my hat, for a twelve-month and a day!
And if any one will ask me the reason why I'm wearin' it
It's all for my true love who is far, far away!
Fare thee well, cold Winter, and fare thee well cold Frost
It's nothing I have gained but my own true love I've lost
I'll sing and I'll be merry, when occasion I do see
She's a false, deludin' young girl, let her go! Farewell be!
My love she was fair, and my love she was kind, too
And many were the happy hours between my love and me
I never could refuse her, whatever she'd a mind to
She's a false, deludin' young girl, let her go! Farewell be!
The other night I brought her a fine diamond ring
But she tried to deprive me of a far better thing
I never could refuse her, whatever she'd a mind to
She's a false, deludin' young girl, let her go! Farewell be!
Will my love be true, and will my love be faithful?
Will she find another young man, to court her when I'm gone?
The men will all come court her, so pretty and so graceful
She's a false, deludin' young girl, let her go! Farewell be!
It's a quarter pound of Reason, and a half a pound of Sense
A small sprig of Time, and as much of Prudence,
You mix them all together, and you will plainly see
She's a false, deludin' young girl, let her go! Farewell be!
(Note: This version is a composite of lyrics sung by Steeleye Span
and those found in "Folksongs And Ballads of Ireland" Vol. 2,
from Ossian Publications.
