In the cattails a maid did dwell
She sang sweet songs but
she loved as well
She was a bit over five feet tall,
and she loved no man,
for she loved them all.
In her bed many hours we lay
While the north winds blow
and the sparrows play
And in my hand she placed a key
Saying, keep this, my love, follow me
So I swore, for she knew me well
I swore this love I'd never tell
She said, me, her soul she'd sell
Even if she must walk the fires of hell
Her hair, it rushed and flowed so long
On a silken pillow, it did belong
Her eyes were yellow like the morning sun
And they were singing each one a song
And her skin was dark like a rusted dawn
Well, in her hair would flow my tears
Of my lonely days and my bitter years
And on her breast, my soul would sail
And her mouth was as sweet,
sweet as hail
She was to me a golden cup
That poured me life for me to sup
And in her heart was a looking glass
And a sturdy ship with a highest mas t
For many days I did remain,
until one day
I forgot her name,
then I knew I'd have to go
from where the sparrows played
and the north winds blew
but then one day by the cattail pond
my love was dying
and then she was gone
I buried her where the green grass grows
And there she slept till the winter snow
So I sent my sorrow to the trees
They said go send to the breeze
But they knew this love
no man could believe
So I bur ied my sorrow,
my heart and my key.