I KNOW MY LOVE
(learned orally during the 1940s; an old Irish love complaint song;-the 3rd and 4th verses are found in Padraic Colum, "Anthology of Irish Verse")
I know my love by his way of walkin'
There is a dance hall in Maradyke
If my love knew I could wash and wring
I know my love is an arrant rover
(from miriam berg's folksong collection)
And I know my love by his way of talkin'
And I know my love by his suit of blue,
But if my love leaves me, what will I do?
And yet she cries, I love him the best,
But a troubled mind sure can know no rest,
And yet she cries, Bonny boys are few,
And if my love leaves me, what will I do?
And there my love, he goes every night
And takes a strange girl upon his knee
And don't you know now that vexes me,
And yet she cries...
If my love knew I could weave and spin
I'd make a dress all of the finest kind (or a coat)
But the want of money leaves me behind,
And yet she cries...
And he'll go roaming the wide world over
In dear old Ireland he'll no longer tarry,
And an English one he is sure to marry,
And yet she cries...