Here's the entry from Sharp/Karpeles, Eighty English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians. Wish I had the whole book, instead of this condensation.
Not the Ballad Index entry above, which says this is a confused and conflate mix of this song and "The Irish Girl."
-Joe Offer-

THE IRISH GIRL

As I walked out one May morning
Down by the riverside
I cast my eyes around me
And an Irish girl I spied.

Her cheeks were red and rosy
And coal-black was her hair.
How costly were the jewels
That Irish girl did wear.

As I walked out that May morning
My true love passing by,
I knew her mind was changing
By the movement of her eyes.

O don't you now remember, love,
When you gave me your right hand,
You vowed if you got married
That I should be the man.

I wish I were a butterfly,
I'd fly to my love's nest;
I wish I were a linnet,
I'd sing my love to rest.

I wish I were a nightingale,
I'd sing to the morning clear;
I'd hold you in my arms, my love,
The girl I love so dear.


Sung by Mrs. Frances Richards at St. Peter's School, Callaway, Virginia. The last two stanzas are taken from an English version noted by Cecil Sharp in somerset.