I built my house beside the wood 
So I could hear you singing 
And it was sweet and it was good 
And love was all beginning 
Fare thee well my nightingale 
'Twas long ago I found you 
Now all your songs of beauty fail 
The forest closes 'round you 
The sun goes down behind a veil 
'Tis now that you would call me 
So rest in peace my nightingale 
Beneath your branch of holly 
Fare thee well my nightingale 
I lived but to be near you 
Tho' you are singing somewhere still 
I can no longer hear you