They say a girl like me should wed
And take a man to lay in my bed
But I would like to stay young and free
Oh, I wish they would let me be
Oh, I wish they would let me be
Let me be

Robin the miller, he's fond of brass
He sees a fools face when he looks in glass
Thinks he'll bargain like grain for me
But, oh, I wish he would let me be
Oh, I wish he would let me be
Robin, let me be

There came a man named Bonny Jim
He looked so fine in his holiday trim
Thinks he'll take me off to the sea
But, oh, I wish he would let me be
Oh, I wish he would let me be
Jim, let me be

Cousin Dick, he has gold and land
He thinks all this will win my hand
My hand nor lips he will never see
Oh, I wish they would let me be
Oh, I wish they would let me be
Dick, let me be

But this young soldier boy is Ned
If his gun's like his own, he can shoot me dead
His eyes are blue, but they don't see me
Oh, why does he let me be?
Oh, why does he let me be?
Why, let me be?