The Willow Maid

A young man walked through the forest
 With his quiver and hunting bow
 He heard a young girl singing
 And followed the sound below
 There he found the maiden
 Who lives in the willow
 He called to her as she listened
 From a ring of toadstools, red
 Come with me my maiden
 Come from thy willow bed
 She looked at him serenely
 And only shook her head
 See me now, a ray of light in the moon dance
 See me now, I cannot leave this place
 Hear me now, a strain of song in the forest
 Don't ask me to follow where you lead
 ♪
 A young man walked through the forest
 With a flower and coat of green
 His love had hair like fire
 Her eyes an emerald sheen
 She wrapped herself in beauty
 So young and so serene
 He stood there under the willow
 And he gave her the yellow bloom
 Girl, my heart you've captured
 Oh, I would be your groom
 She said she'd wed him never
 Not near, nor far, nor soon
 See me now, a ray of light in the moon dance
 See me now, I cannot leave this place
 Hear me now, a strain of song in the forest
 Don't ask me to follow where you lead
 ♪
 A young man walked through the forest
 With an axe sharp as a knife
 I'll take the green-eyed fairy
 And she shall be my wife
 With her, I'll raise my children
 With her, I'll live my life
 The maiden wept when she heard him
 When he said he'd set her free
 He took his axe and used it
 To bring down her ancient tree
 Now your willow's fallen
 Now you belong to me
 See me now (see me now, see me now) a ray of light in the moon dance
 See me now (see me now, see me now) I cannot leave this place
 Hear me now (hear me now, hear me now) a ray of light in the moon dance
 Don't ask me (don't ask me) to follow where you lead
 ♪
 She followed him out of the forest
 And collapsed upon the earth
 Her feet had walked but a distance
 From the green land of her birth
 She faded into a flower
 That would bloom for one bright eve
 He could not take from the forest
 What was never meant to leave