The Lambs On The Green Hills lyrics
The JohnstonsThe lambs on the green hills, they sport and they play,
And many strawberries grow round the salt sea.
And many strawberries grow round the salt sea
And many the ship sails the ocean.
The bride and bride's party to church they did go,
The bride she rode foremost, she bears the best show.
But I followed after with my heart full of woe
To see my love wed to another.
The first place I saw her 'twas in the church stand,
Gold ring on her finger and her love by the hand.
Says I, my wee lassie, I will be the man,
Although you are wed to another.
The next place I saw her 'twas on the way home,
I ran on before her, not knowing where to roam.
Says I, my wee lassie, I'll be by your side,
Although you are wed to another.
Stop, stop, says the groomsman, till I speak a word
Will venture your life on the point of my sword.
For courting so slowly you've lost this fair maid,
So, begone, for you'll never enjoy her.
Oh, make now my grave, both large, wide, and deep,
And sprinkle it over with flowers so sweet.
And lay me down in it to take my last sleep,
For that's the best way to forget her.
Song Details
Songwriter: Traditional - collected, recorded, and reinterpreted by several artists over the years, and indexed as Roud 154.
Alternate Titles: The False Bride, The Forlorn Lover, I Once Loved a Lass, The Week Before Easter, The Forsaken Bridegroom, My Bonnie Bride, The Forsaken Lover.
Brief: The lyrics tell of someone with a broken heart, watching the person they love marry someone else. As the bride walks to the church, the singer notices touching details, like the gold ring and quiet moments shared between the couple that make the sadness even deeper. In the end, he feels that only in death will he find peace from his sorrow and be able to forget the pain of lost love.
🍀 Genre: Irish Folk Song
Covers: The Paul McKenna Band, Nan Tom Teaimin, Aoife Blake, Poppy Seeds, ULC Quintet, Paul Kaplan, Mick Flynn, John Lyons, Barluath, Sheri O'Meara.
Featured Artists: The Johnstons - Irish folk band founded in Slane, County Meath, Ireland. Original members included siblings Adrienne, Luci and Michael Johnston.
Album: The Johnstons
Released: 1968
Country: UK
Format: LP
Label: Transatlantic Records
