I once did have a dear companion
Indeed I thought his love my own
Until a black-eyed girl betrayed me
And then he cared no more for me

Just go and leave me, if you wish to
It will never trouble me
For in your heart, you love another
And in my grave I'd rather be

Last night you were so sweetly sleeping
Dreamed among such sweet rapport
While me, a poor girl, lay broken-hearted
Listening to the wind that blows

When I see your baby laughing
It makes me think of your sweet face
But when I see your baby crying
It makes me think of my disgrace

I wish I was some little sparrow
And I had wings and I could fly
I'd fly away to my own true lover
And when he called it, I'd be nigh

But I ain't no little sparrow
I ain't got wings and I can't fly
So I'll sit right here in grief and sorrow
I'll sit right here until I die
I'll go down to yonder's river
I'll spend my months, my weeks, my years
And I'll leave nothing but weeping willow
And I'll drink nothing but my tears