I once loved a boy, and a bonny, bonny boy
And I loved him, I will vow and protest
I loved him so well, and so very, very well
That I built him a bower on my breast
I built him a bower on my breast

Well, it's up the long alley and down the green valley
Like one that was troubled in mind
I hollered and I whooped and I played upon my flute
But no bonny boy could I find
But no bonny boy could I find

I sat myself down on a green mossy bank
Where the sun it shone wonderful warm;
And who should I spy but my own bonny boy
Fast locked in some other girl's arms
Fast locked in some other girl's arms

Now, the girl who's the joy of my own bonny boy
Let her make of him all that she can
And whether he loves me or whether he don't
I'll walk with that boy now and then
I'll walk with that boy now and then…