As I rode out one May morning One May morning betimes I met a maid, from home had strayed All as the sun did shine "What makes you rise so soon, my love Your journey to pursue? Your pretty little feet they tread so neat Strike off the morning dew" "I'm off to feed my father's flocks His young and tender lambs That over hills and over dales Lie waiting for their dams" "But stay, o stay, you handsome maid And rest a moment here For there is none but you alone That I do love so dear" "How gloriously the sun doth shine How lovely is the air I'd rather rest on my true love's breast Than any other where" "Now thou art mine and I am thine And no man shall uncomfort me We'll join our hands in wedlock bands And married we shall be"