Her Mantle So Green

[Verse 1]

As I went out walking, one morning in June

To view the fair fields, and the valleys in bloom;

I spied a pretty fair maid, she appeared like a queen

With her costly fine robes and her mantle so green

[Verse 2]

Says I, "My pretty fair maid, won't you come with me?

We'll both join in wedlock, and married we'll be;

I will dress you in fine linen, you'll appear like a queen

With your costly fine robes and your mantle so green"

[Verse 3]

Says she, "Now my young man, you must be excused

For I'll wed with no man, so you must be refused;

To the green woods I will wander and shun all men's view

For the boy I love dearly lies in famed Waterloo"

[Instumental Break]

[Verse 4]

"Well if you're not married, say your lover's name

I fought in that battle, so I might know the same"

"Draw near to my garment, and there you will see

His name is embroidered on my mantle so green"

[Verse 5]

In the ribbon of her mantle, there I did behold

His name and his surname, in letters of gold

Young William O'Riley, appeared in my view

He was my chief comrade back in famed Waterloo

[Verse 6]

And as he lay dying, I heard his last cry

"If you were here lovely Nancy I'd be willing to die"

And as I told her this story, in anguish she flew

And the more that I told her, the paler she grew

[Verse 7]

So I smiled on my Nancy, "'twas I broke your heart

In your father's garden, that day we did part

And this is the truth, and the truth I declare

Oh here's your love token the gold ring I wear"