Ewan MacColl — The Grey Cock

[Verse 1] “I must be going, no longer staying The burning Thames I have to cross I must be guided without a stumble Into the arms of my dear lass.” [Verse 2] When he came to his true love's window He knelt down gently on a stone And it's through a pane he whispered softly “My dear girl, are you alone?” [Verse 3] She rose herself from her down-soft pillow And snowy were her milk-white breasts Saying, “Who's there, who's there at my bedroom window Disturbing me at me long night's rest?” [Verse 4] “Oh, I'm your lover, don't discover I pray you rise, love, and let me in For I am fatigued out of my long night's journey Besides, I'm wet into the skin.” [Verse 5] Now this young girl rose and put on her clothing Till she quickly let her own true love in They kissed, shook hands and embraced together Till that long night was near an end [Verse 6] “O' Willie dear, O handsome Willie Where is that colour you'd some time ago?” “O Mary dear, the clay has changed me I am but the ghost of your Willie O.” [Verse 7] “Then O cock, O cock, O handsome cockerel I pray you not crow fore it's day And your wings I'll make of the very first beaten gold Your comb I will make of the silver grey.” [Verse 8] But the cock it crew and it crew so fully It crew three hours before it was day And before it was day my love had to go away Not by the light of the moon nor the light of the day [Verse 9] When she saw her love disappearing The tears down her pale cheeks in streams did flow He said, “Weep no more for me, dear Mary I am no more your Willie O.” [Verse 10] Then it's “Willie dear, O handsome Willie Whenever shall I see you again?” “When the fish they fly, love, and the sea runs dry, love And the rocks they melt by the heat of the sun.”