The Grey Cock

The Grey Cock - A.L. Lloyd

I must be going no longer staying

The burning thames i have to cross

Oh i must be guided without a stumble

Into the arms of my dear lass

And when he came to his true love's window

He knelt down gently all on a stone

And it's through the pane he has whispered slowly

My dear girl are you alone

She rose her head from her down-soft pillow

And snowy were her milk-white breasts

Saying who's there who's there at my bedroom window

Disturbing me from my long night's rest

Oh i'm your lover don't discover

I pray you rise love and let me in

For i am fatigued out of my long night's journey

Besides i'm wet into the skin

Now this young girl rose and put on her clothing

She quickly let her own true love in

Oh they kissed shook hands and embraced together

Till that long night was near an end

Willie dear o dearest willie

Where is that colour you'd some time ago

O mary dear the clay has changed me

I am but the ghost of your willie o

Then o cock o cock o handsome cockerel

I pray you not crow until it's day

For your wings i'll make of the very first beaten gold

And your comb i'll make of the silver ray

But the cock it crew and it crew so fully

It crew three hours before it was day

And before it was day my love had to go away

Not by the light of the moon nor the light of day

Then it's willie dear o dearest willie

Whenever shall i see you again

When the fish they fly love and the sea runs dry love

And the rocks they melt in the heat of the sun