[Verse 1]
One morning, one morning, one morning in May
I spied a fair couple inquirin' their way
They stood and concluded to go by the spring
To see the waters a-gliding, hear the nightingales sing

[Verse 2]
He hugged her, and he kissed her, and he caught her around the middle
And out of his knapsack he drew a fine fiddle
And he played her a tune of the Voluntary
Oh, see the waters a-gliding, hear the nightingales sing

[Verse 3]
"Pretty soldier, pretty soldier, won't you marry mе?"
"Oh no, pretty lady, that never can bе
For I've got a wife at home, and children are three
And the prettiest little baby that you ever did see

[Verse 4]
"I'll go to Kentucky and stay there for a year
Instead of cold water, my drink shall be beer
And when I come back it'll be in the spring
And I'll play that tune over and over again
To see the waters a-gliding, hear the nightingales sing"