I sowed the seeds of love
And I sowed them in the spring
I gathered them up in the morning so soon
While the small birds so sweetly sing
While the small birds so sweetly sing
My garden was planted well
With flowers everywhere
But I had not the liberty to choose for myself
Of the flowers that I love so dear
Of the flowers that I love so dear
The gardener was standing by
And I asked him to choose for me
He chose me the violet, the lily, and the pink
But these I refused all three
But these I refused all three
The violet I did not like
Because it fades so soon
The lily and the pink I did overthink,
And I vowed I would wait till June
And I vowed I would wait till June
Oh, in June there’s the red rosebud
And that is the flower for me
I pulled and I plucked at that red rose bush
Till I gained the willow tree
Until I gained the willow tree
Oh, the willow it will twist
And the willow it will twine
Oh, I wish I was lying in that young girl’s arms
That once held this heart of mine
That once held this heart of mine
So come all you false young men
Who leave me here to complain
The grass that is now trod underfoot
Given time, it will rise again
Given time, it will rise again