Come all young girls of a tender mind,
My story I'll tell to you,
And listen well to my advice,
And to my counsel true.
As a rule the mind of a girl is weak,
And the mind of a man is strong,
And if you listen to what they say,
they're sure to lead you wrong.
When I was in my sixteenth year,
sweet Willie courted me.
He said if I'd run away with him,
his loving bride I'd be.
I love my mother as my life.
I love my father well.
But the love I have for sweet Willie dear,
no human tongue can tell.
When we were far away from home,
enjoying a happy life,
He said, go home, go home,
little girl,
for you never can be my wife.
Oh, Willie dear, what have I done?
What makes you treat me so?
How can you take me from my home
and then leave me to mourn?
It's nature, nature, my little girl,
I find no fault in you.
My mind is set on rambling around,
and now I bid you adieu.