Karan Casey - I once Loved A Lass I once loved a lass and I loved her so wellI hated all others who spoke of her illBut now she ' s rewarded me well for my loveShe ' s gone to be wed to anotherI watched as my love did to the church goWith bride and bride - maidens she made a fine showAnd I followed her on with a heart full of woeTo see my love be wed to anotherTo see my love be wed to anotherI watched as my love did sit down to dineI sat down beside her and I poured out the wineAnd I drank to the wee lass that should have been mineBut now she is wed to another " Well , stop , " says the groomsman , " If you take my wordWould you venture your life on the point of a sword ? For courting too slowly you have lost this fair maidenBegone , you will never enjoy herBegone , you will never enjoy her " Now the lads of the forest , they ask it of me " How many strawberries grow ' round the salt sea ? " And I answer them back with a tear in my eye " How many ships sail in the forest ? " Go dig me a grave all large , wide and deepAnd cover it over with wild flowers sweetAnd lay me down gently for to take my long sleepAnd that ' s the best way to forget herSo we dug him a grave all large , wide and deepAnd covered it over with wild flowers sweetAnd we laid him down gently for to take his long sleepAnd maybe by now he ' s forgottenAnd maybe by now he ' s forgotten