The Poetry Corner

Willow Waly!

By William Schwenck Gilbert

HE. Prithee, pretty maiden prithee, tell me true (Hey, but I'm doleful, willow, willow waly!) Have you e'er a lover a-dangling after you? Hey, willow waly O! I fain would discover If you have a lover? Hey, willow waly O! SHE. Gentle sir, my heart is frolicsome and free (Hey but he's doleful, willow, willow waly!) Nobody I care for comes a-courting me Hey, willow waly O! Nobody I care for Comes a-courting therefore, Hey, willow waly O! HE. Prithee, pretty maiden, will you marry me? (Hey, but I'm hopeful, willow, willow waly!) I may say, at once, I'm a man of propertee Hey, willow waly O! Money, I despise it, But many people prize it, Hey, willow waly O! SHE. Gentle sir, although to marry I design (Hey, but I'm hopeful, willow, willow waly!) As yet I do not know you, and so I must decline. Hey, willow waly O! To other maidens go you As yet I do not know you, Hey, willow waly O!