There was a fair maid lived in the north
Oh, the rose and the linsey, oh
She fell in love with her father's sir

Down by the Greenwood side, oh

He courted her for years and a day

Oh, the rose and the linsey, oh
Till he the young girl did betray
Down by the Greenwood side, oh


She leaned her back up against the thorn
Oh, the rose and the linsey, oh

And there she had, two little babes born
Down by the Greenwood side, oh


She took her pen, night, clean and sharp
Oh, the rose and the linsey, oh
And pierced those two babes to the heart

Down by the Greenwood side, oh

As she was walking her father's hall

Oh, the rose and the linsey, oh
She spied two boys playing ball
Down by the Greenwood side, oh


She said oh babes, if thou were mine,
Oh, the rose and the linsey, oh

I'd dress you up in silk so fine
Down by the Greenwood side, oh


Oh, mother dear, when we were dying,
Oh, the rose and the linsey, oh
You did not treat us then so fine

Down by the Greenwood side, oh

She said oh babes tis you can tell

Oh, the rose and the linsey, oh
What kind of death I'll have to die?
Down by the Greenwood side, oh


Seven years of fishing the blood
Oh, the rose and the linsey, oh

Seven years of hurt in the womb
Down by the Greenwood side, oh


Seven years the town in the mourning bell
Oh, the rose and the linsey, oh
Seven years in the flames of hell

Down by the Greenwood side, oh

Welcome well, come fishing the blood

Oh, the rose and the linsey, oh
Welcome well, convert in the womb
Down by the Greenwood side, oh


Welcome town in the mourning bell
Oh, the rose and the linsey, oh

God save me, from the flames in hell
Down by the Greenwood side, oh