Green gravels, green gravels, the grass is so green,
Fine pencils, fine pencils, as ever were seen.
O Mary! O Mary! your true love is dead,
And he’s sent you a letter to turn round your head.
—Wales (Byegones, 1890).
Yellow gravel, yellow gravel,
The grass is so green,
The fairest young lady
That ever was seen.
O ——, O ——,
Your true love is dead;
I send you a letter to turn round your head.
—Cowes, Isle of Wight (Miss E. Smith).
Green gravel, green gravel, the grass is so green,
Said the fairest young damsel that ever I’ve seen.
O mother, O mother, my true-love is dead,
He sent me this letter to turn round my head.
O mother, O mother, do you think this is true?
O yes, love! O yes, love!
And what shall I do?
I’ll wash you in butter-milk, I’ll dress you in silk,
I’ll write down your name with my gold pen and ink.
—Isle of Man (A. W. Moore).