The version I know ..

As I was out walking one morning in May,
I spied a young couple so fondly did play,
One was a fair maid and her beauty shone clear,
And the other was a soldier and a bold grenadier.

Ch:

and they kissed so sweet and comforting
as they clung to each other
they went arm in arm along the road like sister and brother
they went arm in arm along the road til they came to a stream
and they both sat down together love to hear the nightingale sing..

then out of his knapsack he took a fine fiddle
and he played her such a merry tune as you ever did hear
and he played her such a merry tune that the valleys did ring
"Hark, hark," cried teh fair maid, "Hear the nightingale sing!"

"Oh, soldier, oh soldier, will you marry me?"
Oh, no, pretty lady, however can that be.
for I've me own wife at home in me own country,
and she is the sweetest little maid that you ever did see!

"Oh,I'm off to India for seven long years
Drinkin wine and strong whisky instead of small beers
And if ever I return it will be in the spring
And we'll both sit down together love to hear the nightingale sing."

freda