Classic Poem

Abroad as I was walking
All on a summer's day,
I heard two lovers talking,
These words to him did say.

‘O true love, true love Samuel,
I'm come to break my vow.’
‘O true love, true love Saro,
Don't tell me nothing so.’

‘My friends and brother Barnswell
Are in such spite with thee,
Swearing that they will slay thee
All on the mountains high.’

‘Your friends and brother, Saro,
Take me for such a man,
But not them do I care for,
I'll do the best I can.

‘Give to me your hand, sweet Saro,
And stand you true by me,
And I will fight young Barnswell
All on the mountains high.’

‘And when you're on the mountains,
You're by yourself alone;
You're far from town or city,
You're far from any home.

‘You're far from town or city,
Where no-one will come by.
Pray use my brother kindly
All on the mountains high.’

Young Barnswell spoke to young Samuel,
Saying, ‘'Tis unto me draw nigh.
'Tis here I mean to slay thee
All on the mountains high.’

Young Samuel stood amazed,
Not knowing what to say,
And at last stepped up to him
And took his bow away.

His arrow he took from him,
His bow he slent in three.
‘There,’ he cried out, ‘young Barnswell,
I have no shot for thee.’

And yonder he spied young Saro,
She's tripping all over the plain,
Thinking to meet her brother
And her true love being slain.

Young Barnswell he stepped up to her
And took her by the hand,
And gave her to young Samuel
In the place where they did stand.

‘May God send you prosper both
All the days of your life.
I give you my dear sister
To be your wedded wife.

‘I must confess that you
Were a better man than I.
It lay in your power to slay me
All on the mountains high.’