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All under the leaves and the leaves of life I met with virgins seven
And one of them was Mary mild, our Lord's best mother in heaven.
Oh, where are you going, you seven pretty maids, all under the leaves of life?
We are searching for no leaves, Thomas, but for a friend of thine.
Go down, go down into yonder town and sit in the gallery
And there you'll see sweet Jesus Christ, nailed to a big yew tree.
So down they went into yonder town as fast as foot could fall
And many a bitter and a grievous tear from the virgins' eyes did fall.
Peace mother, oh peace mother, your weeping does me grieve,
But I will suffer this, he said, for Adam and for Eve.
But take you John Evengelist all for to be your son
And he will comfort you, mother, sometimes as I have done
He laid his head on his left shoulder and death it struck him nigh
The holy ghost be with your soul, oh mother dear, I die."
Oh the rose, the gentle rose, the fennel it grows full strong
Amen, good Lord, your charity is the ending of my song.
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