The Flowers in The Forest

I heard them lilting, at the morning milking The lassies a-lilting before the dawn of day Now they are mourning, their men not returning The flowers of the forest are stolen away

Faith in our order sent our lads to the border The English for once by deceit won the day The flowers of the forest, the bravest, the foremost The pride of our country, lie cold in the clay

There'll be no more lilting at the evening milking No laughter, no lightness the long summer day But weeping and mourning, for lovers not returning The flowers of the forest are vanished away