This is one of those songs in the Book of Song which I inherited from Mainlia and never took the time to look at. I am quite glad I decided to do so tonight. After a version by James Connolly, though he does it in the far more accessible key of B, I wanted this song in a higher register.

Come [F] all you [C7] maidens young and [F] fair,
all [F] you that are [Am] blooming in your [C7] prime
and [F] always [F7] beware to keep your [Bb] garden [C7] fair,
let [F] no man [C7] steal away your [F] thyme.

For thyme it is a precious thing
and thyme brings all things to mind.
Thyme with all its flavors, along with all its joys,
thyme brings all things to my mind.

Once I had a bunch of thyme.
I thought it never would decay.
Then came a lusty sailor, who chanced to pass my way
and stole my bunch of thyme away.

(Chorus)

The sailor gave to me a rose,
a rose that never would decay.
He gave it to me to keep reminded
of when he stole my thyme away.

(Chorus)