There was a woman living near our town
On-a-lee and a-loly
In day and night walked up and down
Down by the Greenwood Sidee
She bent her back up against an oak
On-a-lee and a-loly
There stand bended in the brow
Down by the Greenwood Sidee
She bent her back up against a pine
On-a-lee and a-loly
And then two tender babes were born
Down by the Greenwood Sidee
She had herself two tender babes
On-a-lee and a-loly
Decided for to take their lives
Down by the Greenwood Sidee
She took her rope both long and deep
On-a-lee and a-loly
And tied each by his hands and feet
Down by the Greenwood Sidee
She took a knife both thin and sharp
On-a-lee and a-loly
And pierced each through his tender heart
Down by the Greenwood Sidee
She went walking one moonlit night
On-a-lee and a-loly
She spied two babes all resting wide
Down by the Greenwood Sidee
Said "babes, oh babes if you were mine
On-a-lee and a-loly
I'd dress you up in silk so fine"
Down by the Greenwood Sidee
"Mother, oh mother when we was yours
On-a-lee and a-loly
You've drowned us in our own hearts' blood
Down by the Greenwood Sidee
In seven years you'll hear a bell
On-a-lee and a-loly
In seven years you'll rost in hell"
Down by the Greenwood Sidee
There was a woman living near our town
On-a-lee and a-loly
In day and night walked up and down
Down by the Greenwood Sidee