There grew a little flower br 'Neath a great oak tree: br When the tempest 'gan to lower br Little heeded she: br No need had she to cower, br For she dreaded not its power - br She was happy in the bower br Of her great oak tree! br Sing hey, br Lackaday! br Let the tears fall free br For the pretty little flower and the great oak tree! br br When she found that he was fickle, br Was that great oak tree, br She was in a pretty pickle, br As she well might be - br But his gallantries were mickle, br For Death followed with his sickle, br And her tears began to trickle br For her great oak tree! br Sing hey, br Lackaday! br Let the tears fall free br For the pretty little flower and the great oak tree! br br Said she, "He loved me never, br Did that great oak tree, br But I'm neither rich nor clever, br And so why should he? br But though fate our fortunes sever, br To be constant I'll endeavour, br Ay, for ever and for ever, br To my great oak tree!" br Sing hey, br Lackaday! br Let the tears fall free br For the pretty little flower and the great oak tree!br br William Schwenck Gilbertbr br