Those Flowers In Her Hair

There was once long ago, a maiden fair

With rosy cheeks, and long red hair.

Her voice was sweet, her eyes were merry,

Her smile was bright, her lips red as cherries.

Twas summertime when over he came,

With flowers in hand, wet from the rain. 

He said My love, my lady fair,

I've come to you with my love to share. 

She took the blooms of blue and white, 

And with a sigh so sweet amd light,

Braided them with tender care,

Amd wore those flowers in her hair.

Day after day he'd call at her door

With flowers that she always wore.

Her heart danced when he came near.

He cried out his love for all tp hear. 

But one day he was called to war.

The old king wished to settle a score 

With the kingdom across the way,

And so her love was called away.

My love, he said, 

my dearest heart do not fear

while we are apart.

I'll come back, you wait and see.

There is just one thing you must do for me.

Anything! She cried.

I shall do it for you.

You know that I will, for my love is true. 

Wear your flowers every day, 

So that I know that our love shall stay.

And when I return, though I don't know when,

We shall be together once again.

Day after day she waited there,

Her flowers braided in her hair.

When people passed, they stopped to stare

At all those flowers in her hair.

A young girl saw as she passed,

And she couldn't help but ask,

I couldn't help but see you there.

Why do you have all those flowers in your hair?

I wear them, she answered, 

For they are a gift you see.

My love bestowed them with his heart

As a gift meant only for me.

Days turned to months,

Months into years. 

Soon her bright eyes grew full of tears.

But her love never faltered.

Never once did she stray.

She wore her flowers dutifully day after day.

Twas summer time when a letter was brought

To the fair young maiden the young man sought.

To my love with those flowers in her hair.

The battle is over, do not despair.

I shall arrive in four days, three if I scurry.

So my dearest one, please do not worry.

Ah, my love, my lady fair,

Do not forget those flowers in your hair.

Four days! she cried,

As her heart began to soar.

She danced about, her tears came no more.

When the fourth day came, she dressed all in white.

She waited all day, and she waited all night.

She began to worry, overcome by fear.

It was close to midnight and he had yet to appear.

At dawn she awoke to a knock at her door.

A letter was waiting.

Her heart hit the floor.

He was dead, he was dead,

It screamed clear as day.

He was shot in the back, killed on the way.

His last words brought tears

That streamed from her eyes.

She could hardly read it for her heart wrenching cries.

My love, my heart, my lady fair,

I'm going away, though I don't know where.

I cry for the girl I shall never see.

But there is one thing you must do for me.

My one, my only, my lady fair,

Never forget those flowers in your hair.

And so she did forever more.

She wore those flowers as she did before.

Every day she picked fresh blooms.

Beautiful flowers of white and blue.

Her skin grew wrinkled, her hair turned gray,

But her flowers remainef, her love did not stray.

Her heart beat only for her love, now long gone,

But it continued beating strong.

But soon, it stopped.

Like a clock, it stilled, her last breath gone.

She drew no more.

One of her flowers drifted slowly to the floor.

Fresh flowers were picked and braided with care

Into her long,now white hair.

But lo and behold whom she did see

When the bright light faded, shr saw it was he.

It's you! My love! she cried in delight.

Her hair was now red, her dress was all white.

She ran into his arms as he held her tight.

It was then that she knew everthing was alright.

My darling, my love, my lady fair,

I've waited so long, I almost couldn't bear!

Every day I cried, for my heart ached so to be near.

But I no longer need to despair.

And oh, how I've missed those flowers in your hair.