Bessy Bell & Mary Gray (1)/One morning very early

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THE MAID IN BEDLAM.

One morning very early,
One morning in the spring,
I heard a maid in Bedlam,
Who mournfully did sing,
Her chains she rattled in her hands,
While sweetly thus sung she,
I love my love, because I know
My love loves me.

Oh cruel were his parents
Who sent my love to sea,
And cruel, cruel was the ship
That bore my love from me.
Yet I love his parents since they're his,
Although they've ruin'd me,
And I love my love, because I know
My love loves me.

O should it please the pitying powers,
To call me to the sky,
I'd claim a guardian angel charge,
Around my love to fly,
To guard him from all dangers
How Happy.should I be!
And I love my love, because I know
My love loves me.

I‘ll make a strawy garland,
I‘ll make it wondrous fine,
With roses, lilies, daisies.
I'll mix the eglantine;
And I'll present it to my love,
When he returns from sea,
For I love my love, because I know
My love loves me.

O! if I was a little bird
To build upon his breast,
Or if I was a nightingale.
To sing my love to rest;
To gaze upon his lovely eyes
All my reward should be,
For I love my love because I know
My love loves me.

O if I were an eagle
To soar into the sky,
I‘d gaze around with piercing eyes,
Where I my love might spy;
But ah! unhappy maiden,
That love you ne‘er shall see,
Yet I love my love, because I know
My love loves me.