You tender lovers one and all
I hope you will draw near
To a simple tale of sterling love
I mean to let you hear.
But the names of those of whom I speak
To you I will not tell
For all around sweet Markethill
Those people know them well

It being on a cool September eve
The corn was golden crowned
A gentle breeze rushed through the trees
A dim glow all around;
And it was the maiden fair who spoke
As she held her true love’s hand
And in an instant she cried out,
“Alas, I understand.

That you’re in love with another fair maid
Far prettier far than I,
And so the love shines brilliant,
Shine brilliant in your eye.
For it’s sad to think that you’d be false
That would bedim my eye
And with a parting kiss, alas,
To you I’ll say goodbye”

“O stay, O stay” the young man cried,
From you I shall not go,
You say I love another lass,
I vow that is not so.
For had I Gosford’s castle fair,
Or all the lands in view,
From Mullabrack unto Richill,
There’s none I’d wed but you.

So he threw his arms around her neck
And kissed her tenderly
When a cloud above fair Gosford’s heights
I could no longer see.
So I turned my steps towards Rich hill
And sang that sweet refrain
Of that pair I left in fond embrace
Near Gosford’s fair Demesne.