Full Lyrics
One morning very early, one morning in the spring,
I heard a maid in Bedlam who mournfully did sing.
Her chains she rattled on her hands while sweetly thus sang she:
I love my love because I know my love he loveth me.
O cruel were his parents who sent my love to sea,
And cruel, cruel was the galleon that bore my love from me.
Yet I love his parents since they're his, although they've ruined me,
And I love my love because I know my love he loveth me.
I'll make a strawy garland, I'll make it wondrous fine,
With roses, lilies and daisies I will mix the eglantine,
And I'll present it to my love when he returns from sea,
For I love my love because I know my love he loveth me.
O if I were a little bird, I’d build upon his breast,
And if I were a nightingale I would sing my love to rest,
To gaze upon his lovely eyes all my reward should be,
For I love my love because I know my love he loveth me.
And if I were an eagle, I’d soar into the sky,
And I'd gaze around with piercing eye where I my love might spy.
But ah, unhappy maiden, that love you ne'er shall see,
Yet I love my love because I know my love he loveth me.
