The Earl of Rosslyn's daughter walked through the woods alone
When by came Captain Wedderburn, a servant of the king
He said unto his servant-man, "Were it not against the law
"I'd take her into my own bed, and lie her next to the wall"
So he jumped off his milk-white steed, and he set the lady on
And all the way he walked on foot, and he held her by the hand
He held her by the middle of the waist,
for fear that she could fall
Before they'd lie in one bed, and she'd lie next to the wall
Instrumental
"But," said the pretty lady, "before you me perplex
"It's you must answer questions yet, and that is questions six
"It's questions six you must tell me, and that is three times twa
"Before I'll lie in your bed at either stock or wall"
"Oh what is greener than the grass?
What is higher than the trees?
"Oh what is worse than woman's voice?
What is deeper than the seas?
"What was the first bird that did crow?
And what did first down fall?
"Before I'll lie in your bed at either stock or wall"
"Oh envy's greener than the grass, and is higher than the trees
"The devil is worse than woman's voice,
Hell is deeper than the seas.
"The cock is the first bird that did crow,
And the dew did first down fall
"So we'll both lie in one bed, and you'll lie next to the wall"
Instrumental
Oh little did that lady think that morning when she rose
That this would be the very last of all her maiden days
And in the cottage where they lived, they're the happiest pair of all
And they both lie in one bed, and she lies next to the wall