Pretty Saro Lyrics - Iris Dement

When I first come to this country in eighteen and forty-nine 

I saw many fair lovers but I never saw mine 

I viewed it all around me, saw I was quite alone 

And me a poor stranger and a long way from home 

Well, my true love she won't have me and it's this I understand 

For she wants some free holder and I have no land 

But I couldn't maintain her on silver and gold 

But all of the other fine things that my love's house could hold 

Fare thee well to ol' mother, fare thee well to my father too 

I'm going for to ramble this wide world all through 

And when I get weary, I'll sit down and cry 

And think of my Saro, pretty Saro, my bride 

Well, I wished I was a turtle dove had wings and could fly 

Far away to my lover's lodgings tonight I'd drawn nigh 

And there in her lily white arms I'd lay there all night 

And watch through them little winders for the dawning of day