Shirley Collins

I once loved a boy, a bonny, bonny boy
And I loved him, I will vow and protest.
I loved him so well, so very, very well,
That I built him a bath on my breast.

It was through the green valley and up a green hill,
Like one that was troubled in mind,
I called and I shouted and played on my pipe,
But no bonny boy could I find.

I looked up high and I looked down low,
And the sun it shone wonderful warm;
When who should I see but my own bonny boy
That's so close in another girl's arms,
Oh, so close in another girl's arms.

Now, my bonny boy has gone far away,
And I fear I shan't see him again.
But were I to have him or were I to not,
I will think of him once and then,
Yes, I'll think of him once now and then.