The Fisher

"Fisher, if beside that stream,

Thou hast stood since break of day,

Hast thou seen a Ladye fair,

Wand'ring up or down this way?"

"I have stood beside this stream

All day long," the fisher said.

"I have seen no Ladye here,

Save the lady who is dead."

Wa-ly, wa-ly,

Floating down the stream

"This can ne'er my true love be;

She was full of life and light.

E'en the lilies on her breast

Cannot yet be faded quite.

She hath eyes wide open clear,

Lips and cheeks of healthy red."

"I have met no Ladye here,

Save the lady who is dead."

Wa-ly, wa-ly,

Floating down the stream

"Oh, the red was on her lips,

And the light was in her eye,

And the lilies on her breast

Had not had the time to die."

Then I flung me on the ground;

Oh, the passionate tears I shed!

Would that I were in that stream

With the lady who is dead.

Wa-ly, wa-ly,

Floating down the stream