The Nightingale

As I went a walking one morning in May, I met a young couple who fondly did stray; and one was a young maid so sweet and so fair, and the other was a soldier and a brave grenadier. And they kissed so sweet and comforting as they clung to each other. They went arm in arm along the road like sister and brother. They went arm in arm along the road till they came to a stream, and they both sat down together love to hear the nightingale sing. From out of his knapsack he took a fine fiddle. And he played her such merry tunes that you ever did hear. And he played her such merry tunes that the valley did ring. And they both sat down together love to hear the nightingale sing. And they kissed so sweet and comforting as they clung to each other. They went arm in arm along the road like sister and brother. They went arm in arm along the road till they came to a stream, and they both sat down together love to hear the nightingale sing. Oh soldier, oh soldier, will you marry me? Oh no said the soldier, that can never be. For I have my own wife at home in my own counteree. And she is the sweetest little thing that you ever did see. And they kissed so sweet and comforting as they clung to each other. They went arm in arm along the road like sister and brother. They went arm in arm along the road till they came to a stream, and they both sat down together love to hear the nightingale sing. Now IŽm off to India for seven long years. Drinking wines and strong whiskey instead of cool beers. And if ever I return again it will be in the spring. And weŽll both sit down together love to hear the nightingale sing. And they kissed so sweet and comforting as they clung to each other. They went arm in arm along the road like sister and brother. They went arm in arm along the road till they came to a stream, and they both sat down together love to hear the nightingale sing.

by The Clancy Brothers

The Clancy Brothers were an influential Irish folk music singing group, most popular in the 1960s, who are often credited with popularizing Irish traditional music in the United States. The brothers were Patrick "Paddy" Clancy, Tom Clancy, Bobby Clancy and Liam Clancy. They are best known for their work with Tommy Makem, recording dozens of albums together as The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. They were a primary influence on a young Bob Dylan and on many other emerging artists.