—Earls Heaton, Yorkshire (H. Hardy).
Green gravel, green gravel,
The grass is so green,
The fairest young damsels
As ever were seen.
O ——, O ——, your true love is dead;
He sent you a letter
To turn round your head.
Green gravel, green gravel,
The grass is so green,
The dismalest damsels
As ever were seen.
O ——, O ——, your true love’s not dead;
He sends you a letter
To turn back your head.
—Lincoln, Winterton, and Wakefield (Miss Fowler and Miss Peacock).
Green gravel, green gravel, the grass is so green,
The fairest young lady [damsel] that ever was seen.
O ——, O ——, your true love is dead;
He’s sent you a letter to turn round your head.
—Redhill, Surrey (Miss G. Hope); Lancashire (Mrs. Harley).
Green meadows, green meadows, your grass is so green,
The fairest young damsel that ever was seen;
O Mary, O Mary, your sweetheart is dead;
We’ve sent you a letter to turn back your head.