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24

DIRGE.

O dig a grave, and dig it deep,
Where I and my true love may sleep!—
We'll dig a grave, and dig it deep
Where thou and thy true love shall sleep!
And let it be five fathom low,
Where winter winds may never blow!—
And it shall be five fathom low,
Where winter winds shall never blow!
And let it be on yonder hill,
Where grows the mountain daffodil!—
And it shall be on yonder hill,
Where grows the mountain daffodil!
25

And plant it round with holy briers,
To fright away the fairy fires!—
We'll plant it round with holy briers,
To fright away the fairy fires!
And set it round with celandine,
And nodding heads of columbine!—
We'll set it round with celandine,
And nodding heads of columbine!
And let the ruddock build his nest
Just above my true love's breast!—
The ruddock he shall build his nest
Just above thy true love's breast!
And warble his sweet wintry song
O'er our dwelling all day long!—
And he shall warble his sweet song
O'er your dwelling all day long!
26

Now, tender friends, my garments take,
And lay me out for Jesus' sake!—
And we will now thy garments take,
And lay thee out for Jesus' sake!
And lay me by my true love's side,
That I may be a faithful bride!—
We'll lay thee by thy true love's side,
That thou may'st be a faithful bride!
When I am dead and buried be,
Pray to God in heaven for me!—
Now thou art dead, we'll bury thee,
And pray to God in heaven for thee!
—Benedicite!
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