Susan Lawrence

Butcher Boy
Traditional

In London town, where I did dwell
Lived a butcher boy, I loved quite well
He courted me, my life away
And now with me he will not stay

I wish, I wish, I wish in vain
I wish I were a child again
A maid again I ne'er will be
While cherries grow on an ivy  tree

She went upstairs to go to bed
And calling to her mother said
"Give me a chair till I sit down
And a pen and ink till I write down"

With every word she shed a tear
And every line cried "Willie dear -
Oh, what a foolish girl was I
To fall in love with a butcher boy"

He went upstairs and the door he broke
He found her hanging from a rope
He took his knife and he cut her down
And in her pocket, these words he found

Oh, make my grave large, wide and deep
Place a marble stone at my head and feet
And in the middle, place a turtle dove
To show the world, that I died for love