All around my hat I will wear the green willow And all around my hat, for a twelvemonth and a day And if anyone should ask me the reason why I'm wearing it It's all for my true love who's far far away Fare thee well cold winter and fare thee well cold frost Nothing have I gained but my own true love I've lost I'll sing and I'll be merry when occasion I do see He's a false deluding young man, let him go, farewell he All around my hat... The other night he brought me a fine diamond ring But he thought to have deprived me of a far better thing But I being careful like lovers ought to be He's a false deluding young man, let him go, farewell he All around my hat... There's a quarter pound of reasons and a half pound of sense A small sprig of time and small one of prudence You mix them all together and you will plainly see He's a false deluding young man, let him go, farewell he All around my hat... (Alternative lyrics:) My love she was fair, and my love she was kind And cruel the judge and jury that sentenced her away For thieving was a thing that she never was inclined to They sent my love across the sea ten thousand miles away. All around my hat, I will wear the green willow, All around my hat for a year and a day And if anyone should question me the reason for my wearing it I'll tell them that my own true love is ten thousand miles away. I bought my love a golden ring to wear upon her finger A token of our own true love and to remember me And when she returns again, we never will be parted We'll marry and be happy for ever and a day. All around my hat... Seven, seven long years my love and I are parted Seven, seven long years my love is bound to stay Seven long years I'll love my love and never be false-hearted And never sigh or sorrow while she's far, far away. All around my hat... Some young men there are who are preciously deceitful, A-coaxin' of the fair young maids they mean to lead astray As soon as they deceive them, so cruelly they leave them I'll love my love forever though she's far, far away, All around my hat...