Down in the meadows the other day A-gath-ring flowers both fine and gay A-gath-ring flowers,both red and blue I little thought what love could do I leaned my back against an oak Thinking it was a trusty tree But first he bended,then he broke So did my love prove false to me Must I be bound, oh, and he go free? Must I love one that don't love me ? Why should I act such a childish part? And love a man that will break my heart ? There is a ship sailing on the sea She's loaded deep as deep can be But not so deep as the love I'm in I care not if I sink or swim Oh, love is sweet, and love is fine And love is charming when it's true As it grows old, it grows cold And fades away like the morning dew