THE SEEDS OF LOVE 



ISOW'D the seeds of love, 

 It was all in the spring, 

 In April, May, and sunny June, 

 When small birds they do sing. 



My garden was planted full 



Of flowers everjAvhere, 

 But for myself I could not choose 



The flower I held so dear. 



My gardener was standing by, 



And he would choose for me ; 

 He chose the primrose, the lily and pink, 



But those I refused all three. 



The primrose I did reject, 



Because it came too soon ; 

 The lily and the pink I overlook'd. 



And vow'd I would wait till June. 



In June came the rose so red, 

 And that 's the flower for me ; 



But when I gathered the rose so dear 

 I gained but the willow tree. 



Oh, the willow tree will twist. 

 And the willow tree will twine ; 



And would I were in the young man's arms. 

 That ever has this heart of mine. 



My gardener, as he stood by, 



He bade me take great care. 

 For if I gathered the rose so red. 



There groweth up a sharp thorn there. 

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