Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed In the dark inn-yard He tapped with his whip on the shutters But all was locked and barred He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there But the landlord's black-eyed daughter Bess, the landlord's daughter Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair Dark in the dark old inn-yard A stable-wicket creaked Where tim, the ostler listened His face was white and peaked His eyes were hollows of madness, his hair like mouldy hay But he loved the landlord's daughter The landlord's red-lipped daughter Dumb as a dog he listened, and he heard the robber say One kiss, my bonny sweetheart I'm after a prize tonight But I shall be back with the yellow gold Before the morning light Yet, if they press me sharply, and harry me through the day Then look for me by moonlight Watch for me by moonlight I'll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way He rose upright in the stirrups He scarce could reach her hand But she loosened her hair in the casement His face burnt like a brand As the sweet black cascade of perfume came tumbling o'er his breast Then he kissed its waves in the moonlight (O sweet black waves in the moonlight) And he tugged at his reins in the moonlight And galloped away to the west