Lyrics Tim O'Brien - Foreign Lander

I’ve Been A Foreign Lander

I’ve been a foreign lander
Full seven long years and more
Among the bold commanders
Where the thundering canons roar
I’ve conquered all my enemies
Both all on land and sea
It is my dearest jewel
Your beauty has conquered me

If I should build a ship my love
Without the wood of tree
That ship would burst asunder
If I prove false to thee
If ever I prove false, my love
The elements will turn
The fire will freeze to ice, my love,
The sea will rage and burn

Do you remember Queen Ellen
All in her flowery reign
As she walked out of her paradise
To cleanse the golden chain
Her beauty and behavior
None with her could compare
But you my dearest darling
Are more divinely fair

I wish I was a turtledove
Just fluttering from my nest
I’d sing so clear in the morning
With the dew all on my breast
So sweetly would be the music
So doleful and sad the tune
I would sing so clear in the morning
In the beautiful month of June

I wish I was ten thousand mile
All on some lonesome shore
Or among the rocky mountains
Where the wild beasts howl and roar
The lark, the lilly owl, the eagle
And the little swallow too
I would give them all, my dearest love
If I was married to you.