The Black-bird/The Maid in Bedlam
For other versions of this work, see The Maid in Bedlam.
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 rattl’d on 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, altho’ they’ve ruin’d me. For I love my love, &c.
Oh! should it please the pitying pow’rs to call me to the sky, I'd claim a guardian angel's charge around my love to fly,For to guard him from all dangers; How happy should I be! For I love my love, &c.
I'll make a strawy garland, I'll make it wondrous fine;With rodes, lillies, daisies, I'll mix the eglantine;And I'll present it to my love, when he returns from sea. For I love my love, &c.
O if I were a little bird, to build upon his breast!Or if I were a nightingale, to sing my love to rest;To gaze upon his lovely eyes, all my reward should be, For I love my love, &c.
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, &c.
Whilst thus she sung, lamenting, her love was come on shore:He heard she was in Bedlam, then did he ask no more,But straight he flew to find her, while thus replied he, I love my love, &c.
O Sir, do not affright me are you my love, or not?Yes, yes my dearest Molly! I fear’d I was forget;But now I’m to make amends for all your injury:And I love my love, because I’ve found my love loves me.
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