I once loved a boy, a bonny, bonny boy
And I loved him, I will vow and protest
I loved him so well, so very, very well
That I built him a bath on my breast
It was through the green valley and up a green hill
Like one that was troubled in mind
I called and I shouted and played on my pipe
But no bonny boy could I find
I looked up high and I looked down low
And the sun it shone wonderful warm;
When who should I see but my own bonny boy
That's so close in another girl's arms
Oh, so close in another girl's arms
Now, my bonny boy has gone far away
And I fear I shan't see him again
But were I to have him or were I to not
I will think of him once and then
Yes, I'll think of him once now and then