The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won’t Wrestle the Thistles Undone) lyrics

My true love went riding out in
White and green and gray
Past the pale of Offa's wall where
She was won't to stray
And there she came upon a
White and wounded fawn
Singing, "Oh, the hazards of love"

She, being full of charity
A credit to her sex
Sought to right the fawn's hind legs
When here her plans were vexed
The taiga shifted strange
The beast began to change
Singing, "Oh, the hazards of love"

Singing, "Oh, the hazards of love"
You'll learn soon enough
The prettiest whistles won't wrestle
The thistles undone, undone

Fifteen lithesome maidens lay alone
In their bower
Fourteen occupations paid to pass
The idle hour but Margaret heaves a sigh
Her hands clasped to her thigh
Singing, "Oh, the hazards of love"

Singing, "Oh, the hazards of love"
You'll learn soon enough
The prettiest whistles won't wrestle
The thistles undone, undone
Undone, undone, undone