From Miss Margaret Reburn, as current in County Meath, Ireland, about 1860.
1
There were three sisters playing ball,
With the high and the lily O
And there came three knights to court them all.
With the rosey sweet, heigh ho
2
The eldest of them was drest in green:
'I wish I had you to be my queen.'
3
The second of them was drest in red:
'I wish I had you to grace my bed.'
4
The youngest of them was drest in white:
'I wish I had you to be my wife.'
5
'Did ye ask my father brave?
Or did ye ask my mother fair?
6
'Or did ye ask my brother John?
For without his will I dare not move on.'
7
'I did ask your parents dear,
But I did not see your brother John.'
* * * * *
8
'Ride on, ride on,' said the first man,
'For I fear the bride comes slowly on.'