I've been a foreign lander for seven long years and more;
Amongst the bold commanders where the thundering cannons roar,
I've conquered all my enemies both all on land and sea-
But it's you my dearest jewel, your beauty has conquered me.

If I could build a ship my love, without the wood of tree,
That ship would break asunder if I prove false to thee;
If I prove false to thee my love, the elements will turn,
The fires will freeze to ice my love, and the raging seas will burn.

Don't you remember Queen Ellen, all in her flowery reign
As she walked out of her paradise to cleanse the golden chain?d
Her beauty and behavior none with her could compare,
But you my dearest darling art more divinely fair!

I wisht I were a turtledove, just a-fluttering from my nest,
I would sing so clear in the morning with the dew all on my breast;
So sweet-lye would be the music, so doleful and sad the tune-
I would sing so clear in the morning in the beautiful month of June.

I wisht I were ten thousand miles, all on some lonesome shore,
Or amongst the rocky mountains, where the wild beasts howl and roar,
The lark, the little owl and the eagle, and the little swallow too,
I would give them all, my dearest dear, if I was married to you!

Mom said he spoke the last three words, kind of loud, and leant forward in his chair..."You could see the question mark!" she said. "Do you mean that?" she asked him. "Yep," he said, and they were engaged.

And that's how the song came down to us. Jean (This is in, SINGING FAMILY, I just noticed)!