As I was a walking and talking one day
I spied a young couple a making their way
One was a fair maid, her beauty shone clear,
The other was a soldier and a bold grenadier
Bold Grenadier, the other was a soldier and a bold grenadier

Well walking and talking and walking together
They went walking so far that they couldn't tell whither
Then they lay themselves down by a clear crystal stream,
For to see the flowers grow and hear the nightingales sing
Nightingales sing, for to see the flowers grow and hear the nightingales sing

Then out of his knapsack he drew forth a fiddle
And kissing and comforting he drew around the middle
And he played such a pretty tune made the hills and valleys ring
O hark said the young maid how the nightingales sing
Nightingales sing, O hark said the young maid how the nightingales sing

O come now says the young maid will you marry me
O no says the soldier that never can be
For I have a wife already in my own country
And so fine a woman as you ever did see
As you ever did see, so fine a woman as you ever did see

O no said the soldier that never can be
For I have a wife already, and children three
But if I shall be this way again, and the leaves are still green
I will stop to see the flowers grow and hear the nightingales sing
Nightingales sing, I will stop to see the flowers grow and hear the nightingales sing