There were three sisters in the wood, o fair flowers of the valley And there they met a robber bold, and the birds they sang so sweetly He showed the eldest his weapon knife o fair flowers of the valley Will you go with me or lose your life, and the birds they sang so sweetly O I'd rather that I lose my life, o fair flowers of the valley Before I'd be a robbers wife, and the birds they sang so sweetly Then with his knife so keen and sharp, o fair flowers of the valley He pierced that maiden through the heart, and the birds they sang so sweetly He showed the second his weapon knife, o fair flowers of the valley Will you go with me or lose your life, and the birds they sang so sweetly O I'd rather that I lose my life, o fair flowers of the valley Before I'd be a killer's wife, and the birds they sang so sweetly Then with his knife so keen and sharp, o fair flowers of the valley He pierced that maiden through the heart And the birds they sang so sweetly He showed the youngest his weapon knife, o fair flowers of the valley Will you be mine or lose your life, and the birds they sang so sweetly O I will never be your wife, o fair flowers of the valley Nor do I fear to lose my life, and the birds they sang so sweetly For I have a brother in these woods, o fair flowers of the valley For many years an outlaw bold, and the birds they sang so sweetly Before he'd let me be your wife, o fair flowers of the valley He'd quickly take away your life, and the birds they sang so sweetly Oh sister dear what have I done, o fair flowers of the valley For now I know I'm your brother John, and the birds they sang so sweetly He put his knife against his heart, o fair flowers of the valley And from his sister he did part, and the birds they sang so sweetly