The Female Perspective ...

    Chorus
    All around my hat, I will wear the green willow,
    And all around my hat, for a twelve-month and a day.
    And if anyone should ask me the reason why I'm wearin' it,
    It's all for my true love who's far, far, away

    Fare thee well cold winter, and fare thee well cold frost.
    Oh nothing I have gained, but my own true love have lost.
    So sing and I'll be merry, when occasion I do see-
    He's a false deluded young man, let him go, fare well he.

    Chorus...

    Now the other day he brought me a fine diamond ring:
    but he thought to deprive me of a far finer thing.
    But I being careful, as true lovers ought to be,
    He's a false deluded young man, let him go fare well he.

    Chorus...

    Take a quarter pound of reason, and a half pound of sense,
    A small sprig of time, and a pinch of prudence,
    Now mix then all together and you will plainly see:
    He's a false deluded young man, let him go, fare well he.

    Chorus...

    ------------------------------------------------------------

    The Male Perspective ...

    Chorus
    All around my hat, I will wear the green willow,
    And all around my hat, for a twelve-month and a day.
    And if anyone should ask me the reason why I'm wearin' it,
    It's all for my true love who's far, far, away

    Fare thee well cold winter, and fare thee well cold frost.
    For nothing I have gained, but my own true love have lost.
    So sing and I'll be merry, when occasion I do see-
    She's a false deluded lover, let her go, fare well she.

    Chorus...

    The other day I brought her a fine golden ring:
    I asked her to marry, but oh what an awful thing.
    I thought that she loved me, 'til she began to laugh
    She showed me the door and threw out my hat.

    Chorus...

    Take a quarter pound of reason, and a half pound of sense,
    A small sprig of time, and a pinch of prudence,
    Now mix then all together and you and you will plainly see:
    She's a false deluded lover, let her go, fare well she.

    Chorus...