American Old Time Song Lyrics: 16 Caroline Of Edinburgh Town

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 16

Caroline of Edinburgh Town.

Come all, young men and maidens, attend unto my rhyme.
It's of a young damsel who was scarcely in her prime;
She beat the blushing roses, and admired by all around
Was lovely young Caroline of Edinburgh Town.

Young Henry was a Highland man, a courting to her came.
And when her parents came to know, they did not like the same;
Young Henry was offended, and unto her did say:
Arise my dearest Caroline, And with me run away.

We will both go to London, love, and there we'll wed with speed,
And then lovely Caroline shall have happiness indeed.
Now enticed by young Henry, she put on her other gown.
And away went young Caroline of Edinburgh Town.

Over hills and lofty mountains together they did roam.
In time arrived in London, far from her happy home;
She said: My dearest Henry, pray never on me frown,
Or you'll break the heart of Caroline of Edinburgh Town.

They had not been in London more than half a year.
When hard-hearted Henry proved too severe:
Said Henry: I will go to sea. your friends did on me frown.
So beg your way, without delay, to Edinburgh Town.

The fleet is fitting out, to Spithead dropping down,
And I will join the fleet to tight for king and crown;
The gallant tars may feel the scars, or in the water drown.
Yet I never will again return to Edinburgh Town.

Then many a day she passed away in sorrow and despair.
Her cheeks, though once like roses, were grown like lilies fair-
She cried: Where is my Henry? and often did she swoon.
Crying: Sad's the day I ran away from Edinburgh Town.

Oppressed with grief, without relief the damsel she did go
Into the woods to eat such fruit as on the bushes grow;
Some strangers they did pity her, and some did on her frown.
And some did say: What made you stray from Edinburgh Town?

Beneath a lofty spreading oak this maid sat down to cry.
A watching of the gallant ships as they were passing by;
She gave three shrieks for Henry, and plunged her body down.
And away floated Caroline to Edinburg Town.

A note, likewise her bonnet, she left anon the shore.
And in the note a lock of hair with the words: I am no more.
And fast asleep I'm in the deep!-the fish are watching around
Once comely young Caroline of Edinburg Town.

Come all you tender parents, ne'er try to part true love,
You're sure to see in some degree the ruin it will prove;
Likewise, young men and maidens, ne'er on your lovers frown.
Think on the fate of Caroline of Edinburg Town.