The Rose of Britain’s Isle.

Attention give both high and low,
And quickly you shall hear,
Of a virtuous damsel true and kind
Who dwelt in Liecestershire,
Her cheeks like the blooming roses were,
In her face appeared a smile,
The maiden’s name was lovely Jane,
The Rose of Britain’s Isle.
She was a farmer’s daughter,
Her father’s only joy,
And in her teens she fell in love,
With her father’s prentice boy,
Young Edward lived contented,
Till her heart he did beguile,
By all above, he cried—I love
The Rose of Britain’s Isle.
At length her father came to know,
This couple courting were,
He in a passion flew, and dreadfully,
Did curse and swear,
Saying will you bring disgrace on me,
I’ll send you many a mile,
In great disdain across the main,
From the Rose of Britain’s Isle.
He to a ship young Edward sent
To sail across the main,
While Jane at home did weep and mourn,
Her bosom swell’d with pain.
She drest herself in man’s attire,
And in a little while,
On board with Edward soon was shipp’d,
The Rose of Britain’s Isle.
When scarce one week to sea they’d been,
A dreadful storm did rise.
And when young Edward went aloft,
Jane wept with watery eyes.
But little did young Edward think,
When Jane on him did smile
That by his side did stand his bride
The Rose of Britain’s Isle.
When they arrived near to Spain,
The enemy gave alarm,
And by a ball young Jane did fall
Which shatter’d her left arm.
The seamen ran to lend their aid
While Jane in accents mild,
To Edward said—behold a maid
The Rose of Britain’s Isle.
Then Edward was with wonder struck,
And trembled with pain,
And when that Jane recovered,
They were sent across the main.
They soon at England did arrive,
Which caused them both to smile,
Then home again went Edward,
With the Rose of Britain’s Isle.
Her father he was dead and gone,
But joyful to relate,
To Jane he all his fortune left,
Besides a large estate.
They married were, the bells did ring,
All the villagers did smile,
Saying happy live young Edward,
With the Rose of Britain’s Isle.

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Other website link: TraditionalMusic.co.uk