from Volkslieder (Folksongs)
Translation

Willow song
Language: English  after the Middle English 
The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree.
Sing all a green willow:
With his hand on his bosom and his head upon his knee.
Sing willow willow willow willow,
sing willow willow willow willow
must be my garland.
Sing all a green willow,
willow willow willow,
Sing all a green willow must be my garland.

He sighed in his singing and made a great moan.
Sing all a green willow:
I am dead to all pleasure my true love is gone.
Sing willow willow willow willow,
sing willow willow willow willow
must be my garland.
Sing all a green willow,
willow willow willow,
Sing all a green willow must be my garland.

The mute bird sat by him was made tame by his moans.
Sing all a green willow:
The true tears fell from him would have melted the stones.
Sing willow willow willow willow,
sing willow willow willow willow
must be my garland.
Sing all a green willow,
willow willow willow,
Sing all a green willow must be my garland.

Take this for my farewell and latest adieu.
Sing all a green willow:
Write this on my tomb: that in love I was true.
Sing willow willow willow willow,
sing willow willow willow willow
must be my garland.
Sing all a green willow,
willow willow willow,
Sing all a green willow must be my garland.

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It is based on

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)

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Researcher for this text: Garrett Medlock [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2018-12-18
Line count: 36
Word count: 228