All Around My Hat
   
Traditional English Love Song
(Steeleye Span)


Chorus (after every verse):
     D    A        D                         A
     All around my hat I will wear the green willow,
         D    A        D                      E     A
     And all around my hat, for a twelvemonth and a day.
                          D          G              Bm
     And if anyone should ask me the reason why I'm wearin' it,
     A    D   A      D                    A    D
     It's all for my true love who's far, far away.


Fare thee well, cold winter, and fare thee well cold frost.
Nothing I have gained, but my own true love I've lost.
I'll sing and I'll be merry when occasion I do see--
He's about to lose this young bird--let him go, farewell he.

The other night he brought me a fine diamond ring,
Well, he thought to have deprived me of a far better thing!
But I, being careful, like lovers ought to be.
He's a false, deluding young man; let him go, farewell he.

Here's a quarter pound of reason, and a half a pound of sense
A small sprig of time, and as much of prudence.
You mix them all together and you will plainly see
He's a false, deluding young man, let him go, farewell he.


On "All Around My Hat" album by Steeleye Span, 1975