I Loathe That I Did Love


1. I loathe that I did love, did love;
  In youth that I thought swete:
As time requires for my behove,
  Me-thinks they are not mete.

2. For Age with stealing steps
  Hath clawde me in his crowch;,
And lusty Youthe awaye he leapes,
  As there had been none such..

3. A pikaxe and a spade
  And eke a shrowding sheet,
A home of clay for to be made
  For such a guest most mete.


This old ballad was said in William Chappell’s “Popular Music of the Olden Time” to be the source for the Grave-digger’s Song in Hamlet, although a different tune is now used in the play.  Words from Percy’s “Reliques”, tune “Now ponder Well.”