When first in this Country a stranger
Curiousity caused me to roam
Over Europe I resolved to be a ranger
When I left Philadelphia, my home

We quickly sailed over to England
Where forms of great beauty do shine
And there I espied a young woman
And I wished in my heart that she was mine

Oh it's there I did spy this young woman
She appeared like some goddess to me
And she rose from the reeds by the water
On the green mossy banks of the Lee

I stepped up and wished her good morning
And her cheeks well they did blush like the rose
Says I "How the river looks charming"
"And your guardian I'll be if you choose"

Says she "Sir, I n'er want a guardian"
"Young man, you are a stranger to me"
"And yonder's my father a-coming"
"O'er the green mossy banks of the Lee"

Well I waited until up come her father
Saying "Your daughter, a lady she'll be"
"She'll ride in a carriage and horses"
"O'er the green mossy banks of the Lee"

They invited me home to their cottage
And soon after this lady she was mine
And there I filled a fine castle
In grandeur and spendour to shine

So now this American stranger
All pastime and leisure he can see
He can live with his gentle young woman
On the green mossy banks of the Lee

So it's all you young women, attention,
No matter how poor you may be
Just you think on that gentle young woman
On the green mossy banks of the Lee

When first in this Country a stranger
Curiousity caused me to roam
Over Europe I resolved to be a ranger
When I left Philadelphia, my home

---
Traditional
from Nic Jones on "For the Devil a Stranger"