Burl Ives - The Troubador Song Did you ever hear tell of a young maid in need Of a handsome young lover who's anxious to please It's a pity that such a handsome young fellow as me Must sit here while the nightingale sings in the tree (Repeat last 2 lines of each verse) In the valley and woodland there shines a new moon Each lad with his lass mekes the best of the June All the world's gons a-wooing excepting of me While the nightingale sings to his mate in the tree The time it is short, there is none I can spare And the song of the nightingale fades on the air Don't you think, darling Phyllis, you'd better agree To make love while the nightingale sings in the tree.