You're welcome home again said the young man to his love
I've been waiting for you many's the night and day
You're tired and you're pale oh my dearest dear he said
You must never again go away
I must go away she said when the little cock does crow
For it's here they will not let me stay
But if I had my wish oh my dearest dear she said
This long night would never see the day
So I pray you little bird oh you handsome little cock
I pray you do not crow before the day
And your comb it will be made of the very beaten gold
And your wings of the silver so grey
But oh that little cock oh that handsome little cock
He crew an hour too soon
It's time for us to part said the young girl to her love
For it's now the going down of the moon
And where is your bed oh my dearest dear he said
And where are your fine white Holland sheets
And where are the servants to light your way to bed
And to wait upon you whilst you are asleep
Oh the grave it is my bed oh my dearest dear she said
And the shroud my fine white Holland sheet
And the worms and creeping things they are my serving maids
They do wait upon me whilst I am asleep
So I pray you little bird oh you handsome little cock
I pray you do not crow before the day
and your comb it shall be made of the very beaten gold
And your wings of the silver so grey
But oh that little cock oh that handsome little cock
He crew an hour too soon
It's time for us to part said the young girl to her love
For it's now the going down of the moon