The Girl I Left Behind Me

I'm lonesome since I cross'd the hills, And o'er the moors that's sedgy, Such heavy thoughts my mind doth sill, Since parting from my Sally. In search for one that's fine and gay, And several doth remind me, Blest be the hours I past away, With the girl I lest behind me.

The hour I remember well, When constancy reminds me, A pain within my breast I self, When first she own'd she love'd me; But now I'm bound to Brighton Camp, Kind heaven then pray guide me, And send me back safe home again, To the girl I lest behind me.

I'd tune my lays to sing her praise, Had I the tongue of Homer, With compliments most elegant, I'd recompense my lover. So let the night be e'er so dark, Or e'er so wet or windy, I will return safe back again, To the girl I lest behind me.

Her golden hair in ringlets were, Her eyes like diamonds shining, Her slender waist, her carriage chuste, She lest the swain repining; Ye gods above, pray hear my prayer, The beauteous fair who binds me, And send me safe back home again, To the girl I left behind me.

The bee shall lavish, make no store, The dove become a ranger, The falling waters cease to roar, Whene'er I mean to change her; If ever I return that way, And she has not declin'd me, I'll reconcile myself and stay, With the girl I left behind me.