When I first come to this country
In eighteen and forty-nine
I saw many fair lovers
But I never saw mine
I viewed it all around me
Saw I was quite alone
And me a poor stranger
And a long way from home
Well my true love she won't have me
And it's this I understand
For she wants some free holder
And I have no land
But I couldn't maintain her
On silver or gold
And all of the other fine things
That my love's house could hold
Fare thee well to old mother
Fare thee well to father too
I'm alone and for to ramble
This wide world all through
And when I get weary
I'll sit down and cry
And think of my Saro
Pretty Saro my bride
Well I wished I was a turtle dove
Had wings and could fly
Far away to my lover's lodgings
Tonight I'd draw nigh
And there in her lily white arms
I'd lay there all night
And watch through them little winders
Fer a dawning of day