Here are the lyrics. Later I'll work on the tune.

THE ARBUTUS
as sung by Paddy Graber (learned from his mother in Co Kerry)

Old King he has a daughter fair,
And Arbutus is her name
And he has gone a soldiering
To the king of the court of Spain
His harper sang of her gentle grace,
Of her beauty and her fame
And the Spanish King's declared his love,
And begged she might share his name

Old Irish king has hurried back home,
With all speed he could command
And he has told his daughter fair
That he has promised her hand
Her lovely eyes they filled with tears
And her cheeks blushed scarlet red
Oh father dear, I can't marry him,
In truth I'd rather be dead

Oh, you will do as I command,
I swear upon my sword
Go dress yourself in Bride's array,
I'll hear not another word
But father dear, I love a man,
Willoff Windsper (sp ?) is his name
And I'll not leave my own true love
For the hand of the King of Spain

I swear you were a virgin fair
And my Chiefs did all agree
I command you now, cast off your gown,
That we might examine thee
Oh father dear don't shame me so,
I would rather you see me dead
Before you'd let your noble Chiefs
Search for my maidenhead

Cast off, cast off that berry brown gown
And stand upon that stone
For if ye be a virgin fair,
The truth it must be made known
Then she cast off her berry brown gown,
And the gown she let fall free
Yet here its hem it touched the ground,
She changed into a tree

Her love became that gentle sea breeze,
Through her branches he did play
And she has shed her soft brown bark
Until this very day

S. in Seattle^^^