Green Grows the Laurel - Greg Brown

When first in this country, a stranger, I came

In fair Dublin city, that place of great fame

It was my misfortune a fair one to see

It was the beginning of my misery

Green grows the laurel and sweet falls the dew

Sorry I was when I parted from you

But by our next meeting I hope you’ll prove true

And we’ll love one another, as lovers should do

If I were a clerk and could handle a pen

I would write my love a letter, to her I would send

Saying, Keep your own love, dear, and I will keep mine

Write to your sweetheart, and I’ll write to mine

Green grow the rushes and the tops of them small

And love is a thing that can conquer us all

The tulip may wellow, it may fade and die soon

But the red rose will flourish in the sweet month of June

O can’t you love little, o can’t you love long

Can’t you love a new love till your old one returns

Can’t you say that you love him, his mind for to ease

And when his back’s turned, can’t you love who you please?

Green grows the laurel and sweet falls the dew

Sorry I was when I parted from you

But by our next meeting I hope you’ll prove true

And we’ll love one another, as lovers should do