If you're the lass of Ocram, As I take you not to be, The second token you must tell Which past with you and me.-- O know you not, O know you not Twas in my father's park, You led me out a mile too far And courted in the dark?
When you did change your ring for mine My yielding heart to win, Though mine was of the beaten gold Yours but of burnished tin, Though mine was all true love without, Yours but false love within?
O ask me no more tokens For fast the snow doth fall. Tis sad to strive and speak in vain, You mean to break them all.-- If you are the Maid of Ocram, As I take you not to be, You must mention the third token That passed with you and me.--
Twas when you stole my maidenhead; That grieves me worst of all.-- Begone, you lying creature, then This instant from my hall, Or you and your vile baby Shall in the deep sea fall; For I have none on earth as yet That may me father call.--
O must none close my dying feet, And must none close my hands, And may none bind my yellow locks As death for all demands? You need not use no force at all, Your hard heart breaks the vow; You've had your wish against my will And you shall have it now.
And must none close my dying feet, And must none close my hands, And will none do the last kind deeds That death for all demands?-- Your sister, she may close your feet, Your brother close your hands, Your mother, she may wrap your waist In death's fit wedding bands; Your father, he may tie your locks And lay you in the sands.--
My sister, she will weep in vain, My brother ride and run, My mother, she will break her heart; And ere the rising sun My father will be looking out-- But find me they will none. I go to lay my woes to rest, None shall know where I'm gone. God must be friend and father both, Lord Gregory will be none.--
Lord Gregory started up from sleep And thought he heard a voice That screamed full dreadful in his ear, And once and twice and thrice. Lord Gregory to his mother called: O mother dear, said he, I've dreamt the Maid of Ocram Was floating on the sea.
Lie still, my son, the mother said, Tis but a little space And half an hour has scarcely passed Since she did pass this place.-- O cruel, cruel mother, When she did pass so nigh How could you let me sleep so sound Or let her wander bye? Now if she's lost my heart must break-- I'll seek her till I die.