There were three sisters in the wood, o fair flowers of the valley
And there they met a robber bold, and the birds they sang so sweetly
He showed the eldest his weapon knife o fair flowers of the valley
Will you go with me or lose your life, and the birds they sang so sweetly
O I'd rather that I lose my life, o fair flowers of the valley
Before I'd be a robbers wife, and the birds they sang so sweetly
Then with his knife so keen and sharp, o fair flowers of the valley
He pierced that maiden through the heart, and the birds they sang so sweetly

He showed the second his weapon knife, o fair flowers of the valley
Will you go with me or lose your life, and the birds they sang so sweetly
O I'd rather that I lose my life, o fair flowers of the valley
Before I'd be a killer's wife, and the birds they sang so sweetly
Then with his knife so keen and sharp, o fair flowers of the valley
He pierced that maiden through the heart
And the birds they sang so sweetly

He showed the youngest his weapon knife, o fair flowers of the valley
Will you be mine or lose your life, and the birds they sang so sweetly
O I will never be your wife, o fair flowers of the valley
Nor do I fear to lose my life, and the birds they sang so sweetly
For I have a brother in these woods, o fair flowers of the valley
For many years an outlaw bold, and the birds they sang so sweetly
Before he'd let me be your wife, o fair flowers of the valley
He'd quickly take away your life, and the birds they sang so sweetly
Oh sister dear what have I done, o fair flowers of the valley
For now I know I'm your brother John, and the birds they sang so sweetly
He put his knife against his heart, o fair flowers of the valley
And from his sister he did part, and the birds they sang so sweetly