Down by the salley gardens My love and I did meet; She passed the salley gardens With little snow-white feet. She bid me take love easy, As the leaves grow on the tree; But I, being young and foolish, With her would not agree. In a field by the river My love and I did stand, And on my leaning shoulder She laid her snow-white hand. She bid me take life easy, As the grass grows on the weirs; But I was young and foolish, And now I am full of tears. Down by the salley gardens My love and I did meet; She passed the salley gardens With little snow-white feet. She bid me take love easy, As the leaves grow on the tree; But I, being young and foolish, With her would not agree.