The Nightingale A D E A As I went a walking one morning in May E I met a young couple so fondly did stray A E One was a young maid so sweet and so fair A D E A And the other was a soldier and a brave grenadier Chorus And they kissed so sweet and comforting as they clung to each other They went arm in arm along the road like sister and brother They went arm in arm along the road til they came to a stream And they both sat down together love to hear the nightingale sing Chor Well out of his knapsack he took a fine fiddle He played her such a merry tune that you ever did hear He played her such merry tunes that the valley did ring And softly cried the fair maid as the nightingale sings Chor Oh I'm off to India for seven long years Drinking wines and strong whiskeys instead of strong beers And if ever I return again it will be in the spring And we'll both sit down together love to hear the nightingale sing Chor Well then said the fair maid, will you marry me Oh no, says the soldier, however can that be For I've my own wife at home in my own country And she is the finest little maid that you ever did see Chor