On the eighteenth of August, at the eighth month of the year,
Down by New Garden Fields there I first met my dear.
She appeared like some goddess or some one divine
And she came like some torment to trouble my mind.

" Oh I am no tormentor, young man," she did say,
" I'm a-picking those flowers so fresh and gay,
" I'm a-picking those flowers that nature doth yield
For I takes great delight in the New Garden Fields."

And I said, " Lovely Nancy, dare I make so bold
Your lily-white hand one minute to hold?
It will give me more pleasure than all earthly store,
So grant me this favour and I'll ask you no more."

And she turned and said, " Young man, I fear you must jest.
If I thought you were in earnest I would think myself blest,
But my father is coming there now," did she say,
" So fare you well, young man, it's I must away."

So now she's gone and left me all in the bonds of love,
Kind Cupid, protect me, and you powers above,
Kind Cupid, protect me, and pray take my part,
For she's guilty of murder and quite broke my heart.

She turned and said, " Young man, I pity your moan.
I'll leave you no longer to sigh all alone.
I will go along with you to some foreign part,
You are the first young man that has won my heart.

" We'll go to church on Sunday and married we'll be,
We'll join hands in wedlock and sweet unity.
We'll join hands in wedlock and vow to be true,
To father and mother we will bid adieu."