This is one of those oft-sung ballads (Child #215) that has a variety of good texts and tunes. The version we sing here was learned from Helen Schneyer. Helen says she learned the song in the early 1940's. Although she doesn't recall her specific source, it's very close to the version found in Mary 0. Eddy's Ballads and Songs from Ohio. (ET) Helen seems to have stopped singing this song a good many years ago, to our loss, so we thought to try to do it her way, if we could remember it. If this isn't exactly her way, remember that there are only three of us. (GB)
My Willy's fair, my Willy's rare,
My Willy's wondrous bonnie;
He promised he would marry me,
If ever he married any.
Any, any,
If ever he married any;
He promised he would marry me,
If ever he married any.
(Similarly:)
My Willy's to the hunting gone,
Afraid that he might tarry;
He sent a letter back to me
That he was too young to marry.
Last night I had a dreadful dream,
'TWas full of pain and sorrow,
I dreamt I was pulling the heather so green
High upon the banks of the Yarrow.
She wandered high, she wandered low,
High on the braes of Yarrow,
'Til right beneath a rock she found
Her true lover drowned in the Yarrow.
Her hair it was three-quarters long,
The color of it was yellow;
She's turned it 'round her Willy's waist
And she's pulled him out of the Yarrow.
(repeat first verse)