With my dog and gun through the blooming heather
To seek for pastime I took my way
Where I beheld that sweet lovely fair one
Whose charms invited me a while to stay

I said, "My darling, you'll find that I love you
Tell me your dwelling and your name also"
"Excuse my name and you'll find my dwelling near
The mountain streams where the moorcocks crow"

I said, "My darling, if you'll wed a rover
My former raking I will leave aside
Here is my hand and I pledge my honour
If you prove constant I'll make you my bride"

"If my parents knew that I loved a rover
Then a grave affliction I would undergo
I will stop at home for another season near
The mountain streams where the moorcocks crow"

"So farewell, darling, for another season
I hope we'll meet in some moorland vale
And when we meet we embrace each other
I'll pay attention to your lovesick tale"

"And it's arm in arm we will join together
And I'll escort you to yon valley low
Where the linnet sings his note so pleasing near
The mountain streams where the moorcocks crow"