Once I had a sprig of thyme

It prospered by night and by day

‘Til a false young man came a-courting to me

And he stole all my thyme away.

Chorus

For thyme it is a precious thing

And thyme it will grow on

Aye and thyme it will bring all things to an end

Aye and so does my thyme grow on.

The gardener was standing by

And I asked him to chose for me

And he chose me the lily, aye the violet and the pink

Ah but surely I refused them all three.

Chorus

And it’s very well a-drinking ale

And it’s nice just to have a drop of wine

Ah but I like sitting by the young man’s side

That’s gained this heart of mine.

Chorus