Ye muses divine, combine and lend me your aid
To pen these few lines for I find my heart is betrayed
By a virgin most fair, who was dear to me as my life,
But from ne she has flown and is known as the red-haired man's wife.
2. A letter I'll send by a friend down to the sea-shore,
To let her understand I'm the man that does her adore,
And if she would but leave that slave I'd forfeit my life,
She'd live like a lady and ne'er be the red-haired man's wife.
3. Ah! remember the day that I gave to you my true heart,
When you solemnly swore that no more we ever would part
But your mind's like the ocean, each notion has taken her flight
And left me bewailing the tale of the red-haired man's wife.
4. Your absence my dear, I fear, is the cause of my woe,
But to see you again I mean in a short time to go;
And when I come near you I really would venture my life
That with me you would steer and ne'er be the red-haired man's wife.
5. I straight took my way next day through a shady green grove,
And crossed purling streams, where sweet birds mostly do rove
Thence I was conveyed to where nature boasts of her pride
Where I stood all amazed - and gazed on the red-haired man's wife.
6. I offered a favour and sealed it with my own hand,
She thus answered, and said - would you lead me to break the command
Therefore take it easy - since nature has caused so much strife
I was given away - and will stay as the red-haired man's wife.
7. My darling sweet Phoenix if now you will be my own,
For the Patriarch David had a number of wives 'tis well known
So yield to my embraces and straight put an end to all strife
If not I'll run crazy, or gain the red-haired man's wife.
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