Lyrics

Delia cursed Tony on a Saturday night
Cursed him such a wicked curse
He swore he'd take her life
Delia's gone one more round Delia's gone

The first time he shot her, he shot her in the side
the second time he shot her, she lay down her head and died
They called for a doctor and he came dressed in black
He's done everything that a doctor could but he couldn't bring Delia back

Delia's gone one more round Delia's gone one more round
Delia's gone one more round Delia's gone

Monday he was arrested and on Tuesday he was tried
The jury found him guilty and the judge said ninety-nine

Delia's gone one more round Delia's gone

99 years in prison, judge that ain't no time
I got a brother in New Orleans with nine hundred ninety-nine
Now Tony he's in the jailhouse drinking out a silver cup
And Delia's in the graveyard trying her best to get up

Delia's gone one more round Delia's gone one more round
Delia's gone one more round Delia's gone

Jailer, Oh Jailer
how can I sleep ?
when all around my bed side my dear darling Delia creeps

Delia's gone one more round Delia's gone one more round
Delia's gone one more round Delia's gone

Lay up nearer, brother nearer
for my limbs are growing cold
and thy presence seemeth nearer
when thine arms around me fold

I am dying brother, dying
soon you'll miss me in your berth
for my form will soon be lying
Œneath the ocean's briny surf

I am going brother, going
but my hope in God is strong
I am willing brother, knowing
that I doeth nothing wrong

Hark I hear the saviour speaking
´Tis, I know his voice so well
when I'm gone, oh don't be weeping
brother hear my last farewell

Farewell to old Bedford
I'm bound for to leave you
likewise those pretty girls
I never more shall see
my portion is small but I truly confess it
what little I have is all my own

Well, might I have enjoyed it
all in pleasure
If my cruel parents
hadn't left me alone
I'll drown away sorrow
in a full flowing bumper
I'll drown her away in a bottle of wine

Eight drams a bottle is
and I I don't care for falling
Now never let trouble come into your mind
I'll drown her away in a full flowing bumper
I will drown her away in a bottle of wine

Eight drams a bottle is
and I don't care for folly
I play on my fiddle and dance away time
my fingers are frozen
my bow it needs rosin
my sound post is down
and my bridge it won't stand.

Young Charlotte lived by the mountain side
in a wild and a lonely spot
not a dwelling house for five miles around
except her father's cot

on many pleasant winters night
young folks would gather there
her father kept a social house
and she was young and fair

her father liked to see her dressed
as fine as a city belle
for she was the only child that he had
and he loved his daughter well

it was New Year's Eve
the sun was low
joy beamed in her bright blue eyes
as to the window she would go
and watch the sleighs pass by

it was New Year's Eve
the sun was low
joy beamed in her bright blue eyes
she watched until her true love's sleigh
came swiftly riding by

in a village fifteen miles away
there's a merry ball tonight
the piercing air was cold as death
but her heart was warm and dry
oh daughter dear her mother said
this blanket around you fold
it's a dreadful night to go abroad
and you'll catch your deathly cold

oh no oh no the daughter said
and she laughed like a gypsy queen
to ride in a sleigh all bundled up
I never shall be seen

my silken coat it is quite warm
it's lined throughout you know
besides I have a silken scarf
which around my neck I'll throw

her cloak and bonnet soon were on
they stepped in to the sleigh
and around the mountain side they went
for many miles away

there's life in the sound of the merry bells
as over the hills they go
what a creaking sound the runners make
as they bite the frozen snow

with muffled faces silently
over five long miles they pass
when Charlie with these frozen words
the silence broke at last

such a night as this I never knew
these lines I scarce can hold
and Charlotte said in a very feeble voice
I'm growing very cold

he cracked his whip, he urged his steed
much faster than before
saying it's ten long dreadful miles to go
and it's o'er ice and snow

how fast said Charles the frosty ice
keeps gathering on her brow
and Charlotte said in a very feeble voice
I'm growing warmer now

and on they ride through the frosty air
and the glittering cold starlight
until at last the village inn
and the ballroom are in sight

he drove up to the ballroom door
stepped out and reached his hand
he asked her once, he asked her twice
he asked her three times o'er

why sit you there like a monument
within is power to stir
he called her by her name again
but she said not a word

He took her hand in his oh God
it was cold and hard as stone
he tore the mantle from her brow
and there the cold stars shone

and then in to the lighted hall
her lifeless form he bore
Charlotte was a frozen corpse
and words spoke never more

Young Charles knelt down all by her side
the bitter tears did flow
my own, my true intended bride
I never more shall know

he twined his arms around her neck
the bitter tears did flow
and his thoughts turned back
to the place where she said
I'm growing warmer now

George Collins rode home
on a cold winter's night
George Collins rode home so fine
George Collins rode home
on a cold winter's night
He took on sick and died

Oh, Mary was standing in yonders town
Sewing her silks so fine
But when she heard of George being dead
She's laid her silks aside

She followed him up
and she followed him down
She followed him to his grave
There down on a bended knee she fell
She screamed, she cried and prayed

Oh daughter, Oh daughter
what makes you weep so
There's more young men then George
Oh mother, Oh mother
George has got my heart
And now he's dead and gone

Put down the coffin, pull back the lid
Lay back the linen so fine
That I may kiss these cold corpse lips
I'm sure they'll never kiss mine

Oh don't you see that lonesome dove
That sails from pine to pine
He's mourning for the loss of his own true love
Just like I'll mourn for mine.

In this vain world of trouble,
many accidents occur.
I'm going to sing about one,
as sad as you ever heard.
It was in Fall River city.
They were all burned up and killed,
imprisoned in the factory
known as the Granite Mills.
Now it was my opinion,
and it's my opinion still:
they might all have been saved,
had the truth been told,
from the flames of the burning mills.
The first scene was a cruel one,
the girl so young in years:
she was standing at the window
and her eyes were bathed in tears.
She was standing at the window
as she called her mothers name.
"Oh mother, mother, save me!",
and she fell back in the flames.
The next scene was a hard one,
as she passed before my eyes:
she was leaping out a window,
down from the roof so high.
With a crack, she fell down on the ground.
She was bruised and burned and killed.
Three hundred people lost their lives
in the flames of the burning mill.
One poor girl tried to escape
by sliding down a rope,
but when she got but halfway down,
the burning strands, they broke.
I hope her soul has gone to rest
in a place that's dearer still:
above, above, in heaven above,

The gypsy king come over the hill
defying storm and danger
it seemed to be my lot to fall
in love with the darkeyed stranger

I gave to him of the good wheat bread
and he gave to me the ginger
I gave to him a better thing
all the gold from off my fingers

He has asked me to be his wife
to be his honored lady
has asked me to leave my home and kin
and follow the Gypsy Davy

They tell me to marry beneath my rank
is nothing short of danger
but title and gold cannot compare
with my love for the dark-eyed stranger

So she's taken off her high-heeled shoes
all made of the Spanish leather
she's gone down in her low-heeled shoes
and they rode off together

They rode high and they rode low
they rode so late and early
They rode till they come to the dark blue sea
and oh but she was weary

Last night I slept in a down-feather bed
an honored and titled lady
but tonight I'll sleep in the green, green fields
in the arms of my Gypsy Davy

And when the lord come home in the night
inquiring for his lady
the servants made him this reply
She's gone with the Gypsy Davy

Go saddle to me my little yellow mare
the gray one's not so speedy
I rode all day and I rode all night
so that I'll overtake my lady

Oh he rode till he come to the dark blue sea
it looked so dark and dreary
there he spied his own true bride
by the side of the Gypsy Davy

Oh will you come home, my dear, my love
will you come home my darling
I'll keep you safe in a close, close room
where no man will ever come near you

No I won't come home, my dear, my love
I'll not come home my darling
if I brew good beer I'll drink the same
and you'll no more come near me

So she's taken off her long blue gloves
all made of Spanish leather
she waved farewell with her little white hands
she waved farewell forever

Saying I do not envy our honored queen
or any titled lady
I'd rather be a gypsy queen
the bride of my black-eyed Davy

It's been a year since we last met
We may never meet again
I have struggled to forget
But the struggle was in vain

For her voice lives on the breeze
And her spirit comes at will
In the midnight on the seas
Her bright smile haunts me still
In the midnight on the seas
Her bright smile haunts me still

I have sailed a falling sky
And I've charted hazard's paths
I have seen the storm arise
Like a giant in his wrath

Every danger I have known
That a reckless life can fill
Though her presence is now flown
Her bright smile haunts me still
Though her presence is now flown
Her bright smile haunts me still

When I close my aching eyes
Sweet dreams my memory fill
And from sleep when I arise
Her bright smile haunts me still

Something's tapping, at the garden gate
Tapping, coming here so late
Every night I wonder late
What's tapping there at the garden gate

What's that tapping at the garden gate now?
Hush the sun is down and it's too late

Your so clever, think that I don't know
What you're afraid of, you blush and falter so
What would you look for under the chair
When the tapping doesn't come from there

What's that tapping at the garden gate now?
Hush the sun is down and it's too late

So hush now, sleep now, hush now, sleep now

Something's tapping at the garden gate
Uninvited, coming here so late
You dropped the sugar spoon
Right where it lies
Bless the girl where are your eyes?

If I was able to move from my chair
I'd go and find out who is there

What's that tapping at the garden gate now?
Hush the sun is down and it's too late

One night said Kate to John,
"I've had a troubled fancy.
I heard the waters roar,
and I thought upon our Nancy.
If Tom and Nan should wed,
and such a thing there may be,
their marriage might bring forth
a prattling little baby.
When that dear babe could walk
and just begin to waddle,
perhaps he might come here
and in the water paddle.
I know he will be drowned:
I hear the waters calling.
Oh, pretty sweet baby!"
And they both began a bawling.
No doubt but it was fate
that brought these lovers walking
to where old John and Kate
were asighing and atalking.
They all sat on the green
while Kate told them her fancy.
How they did weep and wail,
this Tom, old man and Nancy.
They all went crying home,
Tom, old man, wife and daughter.
Each night the ghost does come
and it cries upon the water.

In Jersey City where I live now
A butcher boy I loved so well
He courted me my life away
And then with me he would not stay

There is a house in another town
Where my love goes and hangs around
He takes strange girls all on his knee
And tells them that he doesn't love me

Go dig my grave both wide and deep
Put a marble stone at my head and feet
And on my heart a turtle dove
To show the world I died for love

Oh mother dear how can you know
The pain and sorrow I have known
Go get me a chair to sit upon
A pen and ink, I'll write it down

The end of each line she dropped a tear
For bringing back my Willy dear
Her father came home and looking 'round
Said he, "where can my daughter be found?"

When first I came to town
they called me the roving jewel
but now they've changed their tune
and call me Katy Cruel
Oh diddle all the day, o de little o li o day

Oh that I was where I would be
then should I be where I am not
here I am where I must be
where I would be I cannot

When first I came to town
they brought me the bottles plenty
now they've changed their tune
and bring me the bottles empty

I know who I love
and I know who does love me
I know where I'll go
and I know who'll go with me

Through the woods I'll go
and through the boggy mire
straightway down the road
til I come to my heart's desire

I was out one night
acrawling and acreeping.
I spied a fair maiden
asnoring and asleeping.
Just lay your leg over me, do.
Says I, "My pretty monarch,
I'll come to bed to you."
She snored, and replied,
"Just come to bed to me,
and lay your leg over me do."
"Your drawers are so tight
that I can not undo them."
She snored, and replied,
"Then take a knife to them.
Just lay your leg over me, do."
"I haven't owned a knife
since I can remember."
She snored, and replied,
"There's a knife in the window.
Just lay your leg over me, do."
The knife was got down
and the drawers was cut under,
and then they went at it
like alightning and athunder
and alay your leg over me, do.
In about nine months,
this maid fell aweeping,
and then she remembered
the snoring and the creeping
and the "Lay your leg over me, do."
The babe it was born.
It was an awful wonder
that it wasn't killed
by the lightning and the thunder
and the "Lay your leg over me, do."

little Margaret was sitting in her high halled door
combing her long yellow hair
she saw sweet william and his new made bride
riding from the church so near

now she's thrown down her ivory comb
she's thrown back her long yellow hair
she said I'll go down and bid him farewell
and never more go there

it was so lately in the night
as they lay fast asleep
little margaret appeared all dressed in white
standing at their bed feet

saying "how do you like your pillow," says she
"how do you like your sheets
and how do you like that fair young lady
lying in your arms asleep?"

"well do i like my pillow," says he
"well do i like my sheets
but better do i like that fair young lady
standing at my bedfeet"

and as once he kissed her lily white hands
twice he kissed her cheeks
three times he kissed her cold corpse lips
and fell in her arms asleep

is little margaret in her room
or is she in the hall
no, little margaret's in her cold black coffin
with her face to the wall.

A wager, a wager and I'll go with you
away to the may blooming fields
a maiden I will go to the bloomfield hill
and a maiden I will return

A wager a wager and you'll go with me
away to the may blooming fields
a maiden you will go to the bloomfield hill
but a maiden you never will return

Away went this young man,
his wager for to win
away to the may blooming fields
He sat himself down
by the clear flowing stream
and fell fast asleep on the banks

Nine times she walked
Œround the crown of his head
and nine times she walked Œround his feet
Nine times she kissed his red ruby lips
as he lay on the bank fast asleep

The ring that she wore on her little finger
the same did she place on his own
that it might be a token of her love unto him
that she had been there and was gone

If I'd been awake as I was asleep
this maiden she never would have fled
It's her I would have killed,
her blood I would have spilled
and the birds told the story of the dead

Oh hard-hearted young man,
hard-hearted youth
Your heart's as hard as any stone
For to think to kill one
who has loved you so long
and I'll weep o'er the grave you lie in.

Sad news is come to town.
Sad news is carried.
Some say my love is dead.
Some say he's married.
As I was pondering on this,
I took to weeping.
They stole my love away
while I was sleeping.
"Love, here's a ring of gold.
Long years I've kept it.
And it was all for your sake.
Will you accept it?
When you the posy read,
pray think on the giver,
and then remember me,
for I'm undone forever.
Then away went this bold Wolfe
and embarked all on the ocean.
To free America
was his intention.
He landed in Quebec
with all his party,
the city to attack,
being brave and hearty.
He drew his army up
in lines so pretty
on the Plains of Abraham,
back of the city,
at a distance from the town,
where the French would meet him,
in double numbers, who
resolved to beat him.
Montcalm and this brave Wolfe,
together, walked.
Between to armies, they,
like brothers talked,
til each one took his post,
and did retire.
It was then these numerous hosts
commenced their fire.
Now, little did he think
death was so near him.
No, little did he think
death was so near him,
when shot down from his horse.
Was this our hero?
We'll long lament his loss
in tears of sorrow.
He raised up his head,
where the cannon do rattle,
and to his aide he said,
"How goes the battle?"
His aide-de-camp replied,
"It's ending in our favor."
Then said this bold Wolfe,
"I quit this earth, with pleasure."

I had a dear companion
she's not with me now
the lillies of the valley
are weeping o'er her brow
and I'm sad and lonely
and I'm weeping all the day
for my lovely laughing little Nell
of Narragansett Bay

Oh toll, toll the bell
all at the early dawn of day
for lovely little Nell
so quickly passed away
laugh and toll so merrily
to see the waves go by
for gaily blew the morning breeze
all on the day she died

One day from me she wandered
and soon was in the boat
the cord was quickly loosened
and on the tide afloat
and it's years since we last parted
but here I weep today
for my lovely laughing little Nell
of Narragansett Bay

Next day her form was useless
washed up on the beach
I stood and gazed upon her
betrayed by sense and speech
and it's years since we last parted
but here I weep today
for my lovely laughing little Nell
of Narragansett Bay

I had a dear companion
lost upon the swell
and the tears I've shed since she's been dead
might've drowned her just as well
for Nell was only six years old
all on that awful day
when she was drowned straight off the sound
by Narragansett Bay

Once I lived in Old Virginia
North Carolina was my home
there I courted a handsome lady
I called her my own

Her hair was yellow, her eyes were sparkling
on her cheeks was a diamond red
and on her breast she wore a white lily
oh, the tears that I have shed

My father said that I must not marry
mother said that'll never do
but oh kind miss if you are willing
I will run away with you
oh must I go to Old Virginia
or for your sake must I die
Oh must I go sad broken hearted
oh, darling say don't cry

Oh when I'm awake
I'm a-dreaming about you
when I'm asleep I'll take no rest
for every moment seems like an hour
Oh, what a pain lies in my breast

when the golden sun is a-shining
on the top of Calvary
It's sometimes love
when you are thinking
you must oft times think of me

when I was a young man I was a rover
nothing would satisfy me but a wife
soon as I reached the age of 20
weary was I of a single life.

the very first year that I was married
out of her company I could not stay
her voice was sweet as the lark or the linnet
or a nightingale at the break of day

Now she's fairly old and demeaning
Now she's fairly changed her tune
nothing but scolding comes from her mouth
and the poor man's labor is never done

the very first year that we were married
scarce could I get one half hour's sleep
with her two heels she rubbed my shins
says husband dear put down your feet

the baby cried she bitterly scolded
down for the door I was forced to run
without trousers a wig or a waistcoat
the poor man's labor's never done

I went up to the top of the hill for
to view my sheep that had all gone astray
when I came back she was lying in the bed
at 12 o'clock on a winter's day

when I came back all wet and weary
weary and wet now where could I run
she was lying in the bed the fire on beside her
she said young man put the kettle on

l'll go o'er to my aged mother
she'll be sitting all alone
She says there's plenty of young women to be had now
why should I be tied to one

oh young man what it is to marry
though they'll grief you evermore
death oh death come take my wife
and then my trouble will be o'er

On Jordan's stormy banks I stand
and cast a wishful eye,
to Canaan's fair and happy land
where my possessions lie.
Oh, the transporting, rapturous scene
that rises to my sight!
Sweet fields arrayed in living green,
and rivers of delight.
There generous fruits, that never fail,
on trees immortal, grow.
There rocks and hills and brooks and vales
with milk and honey flow.
O'er all those wide extended plains
shines one eternal day.
There God, the sun, forever reigns,
and scatters night away.
No chilling winds, nor poisonous breath,
can reach that healthful shore.
Sickness and sorrow, pain and death,
are felt and feared no more.
When shall I reach that happy place,
and be forever blessed?
When shall I see my Father's face,
and in his bosom rest?
Filled with delight, my raptured soul
can here no longer stay.
Though Jordan's waves around me roll,
fearless, I launch away.

Once on a time with a boyish fancy
When life was fair and I was young
I loved a girl whose name was Nancy
I loved her more than a common one

My love she scorned for the sake of another
Who's manly form and winning smile
Seemed sure that he'd win her over
and mostly did her time beguile

Full many a day I pined in sorrow
To see my Nancy won so gay
They were to wed on the coming morrow
Oh must I see their wedding day

How could there be a trial harder
It's nearing now the month of May
Her husband don't in the least regard her
He took to gambling night and day

All you girls and boys take warning
When life is young and fair as May
Many a bright sunshiney morning
Turns out a dark and a gloomy day

(shapes)
Saviour, visit thy plantation.
Grant us, Lord, a gracious rain.
All will come to desolation
unless Thou return again.
Keep no longer at a distance.
Shine upon us from on high,
lest for want of Thy assistance,
every plant should droop and die.
Lord, revive us! Lord, revive us!
All our help must come from Thee.
Lord, revive us! Lord, revive us!
All our help must come from Thee.

words by Tom King

If you're going
to San Francisco
Please say hello to a girl I know

Six days a week
Pouring cups of coffee
in a diner by the sea

Tell her for me
all her friends are married
staying in love got that easy

And tell her for me
I'm saving all my pennies
in a barrel by the basement stairwell

And someday we'll see
when all the bails are paid for
we'll roll the barrel down to the airport

and buy her a ticket back home

I have a loving old father at home
I've cost him many a tear
and to make lament to him
I'll travel ten thousand years

I'll ramble and I'll rove
and I'll call for my bowl
they may all say what they will
resolved as I am for as long as I live
for to be a rover still

I have a loving old mother at home
I've cost her many a tear
and to make lament to her
I'll travel ten thousand years

I have a loving young sister at home
She gave me kind advice
said for me to stay at home
and marry a loving young wife

For six long years
I've been bound to my trade
In one more I'll be free
I don't care for a house or land
and no one cares for me

We'll I'm bound for St. George's
Shallow, Oh Shallow Brown
Bound away for to leave you
Oh Shallow, Shallow Brown

Julianna I truly love you

But my master's gonna sell me
For that great big Yankee dollar

Well I've signed on as a sailor
Signed on board a Yankee whaler

And my packet leaves tomorrow
and my heart is full of sorrow

Julianna I truly love you

When Johnny came to my house,
I swore he'd come to see me.
Soon I'd found the rascal out,
he'd only come to squeeze me.
He grabbed me round the slender waist,
and on the bed he throwed me.
The prettiest thing I ever saw,
he pulled it out and showed me.
He said it was his little gun.
He asked how it would suit me.
He shoved it down between my thighs
and swore by God he'd shoot me.
Well, I said, "John, your gun's no good,
or your no good at gunning.
If you can't hit a lying mark,
then what'd you do arunning."
Well, "Gee," said John, "my gun's alright.
I got it from Old Spencer.
Now you lie still, and hold the mark,
and I'll sure knock it center."
Well, Katie laid still, and held the mark.
For him, it was no trifle
for to soon show her what he could do
with his old Spencer rifle.
Katie was a fair and a charming maid.
She wasn't barely twenty.
By the time he'd fired seven rounds,
well, he'd had pork aplenty.
Her mother finally found them out.
Good order she commanded.
John cocked up with a double load,
and he shot at her off-handed.

On one of these lone Orkney Isles
there dwelled a maiden fair
her cheeks were red and her eyes were blue
she had lovely curling hair
which caught the eye and then the heart
of one never could be
the lover of so true a maid or fair a form as she

across that lake in Sandwick
dwelled the youth she held most true
and ever since her infancy
he'd watched those eyes so blue
the land runs out into the sea
it's a narrow neck of land
where weird and grim the standing stones
in a circle there they stand

one bonny moonlight Christmas Eve
they met in that sad place
with their hearts in glee and the beams of love
were shining on her face
they walked toward the lover's stone
and through it passed their hands
they plighted there a constant troth
sealed by love's steadfast bands

this maiden turned and he then watched her
that lonely bridge go o'er
and little did he think
he wouldn't see his darling more
but then a form upon him sprang
with a dagger gleaming bright
it pierced his heart and his dying cries
they disturbed that silent night

the murderer was the one who wished
that maiden's heart to gain
and when he saw that it could not be
he swore that he'd give her pain
this maid had nearly reached her home
when she was startled by a cry
she turned to look around her
and her love was standing by

his hand was pointing to the stars
and his eyes gazed at the light
and with a smiling countenance
he vanished from her sight
around she turned and home she ran
not a word of this was said
for well she knew at seeing his form
her faithful love was dead

and from that day she's pined away
not a smile seen on her face
and with outstretched arms
she went to meet him
all in some brighter place

How come that blood
all over your shirt
my son, come tell unto me
it is the blood of my gallant gray hawk
who flies across the fields

I got a grey hawk's blood was never so red
my son, come tell unto me
It is the blood of my gallant grey hound
who hunts the woods with me

I got a grey hound's blood was never so red
my son, come tell unto me
It is the blood of my gallant gray mare
I used to ride so gay

I got a gray mare's blood was never so red
my son, come tell unto me
It is the blood of my brother
who lately I have slain

what did you and him fall out about
my son come tell unto me
about cutting down yon hazelnut tree
what caused it for to be

what you gonna do
when your daddy finds out
my son, come tell unto me
I'll set my foot in yonder ship
and I'll sail across the sea

what you gonna do with your pretty little wife
my son, come tell unto me
She'll set her foot in yonder ship
and she'll sail along with me

what you gonna do with your children three
my son, come tell unto me
I'll leave them here along with you
to bear you company
I'll leave them here along with you
to bear you company

and when you coming home
my son, come tell unto me
when the sun and the moon
sets in the north hills
and that will never be

Sweet William rode out to the old man's cave
And boldly he did say
your youngest daughter she must stay at home
but your eldest I'll take away

Come in come in all seven of my sons
and guard your sister round
for it'll never be said that the Stewart's son
has taken my daughter out of town

Oh no kind sir and it's very kind
but I'm none of the Stewart's sons
My father was a reginer's team
my mother was a quaker's queen

So he got on his milk white steed
And she on a dapple grey
He swung his bugle horn around his neck
and they went riding away

They hadn't gone more than a mile out of town
when he looked back again
he saw her father and the seven of her brothers
come trippling over the plain

Lie down lie down Fair Ellen cried he
And hold my steed by the reigns
till I fight with your father and the seven of your brothers
come trippling over the plain

so she got down and she stood right still
not a word did she return
till she saw her father and the seven of her brothers
a-rolling in their own heart's blood

slack your hand slack your hand
sweet william cried she
for your wounds are very sore
the blood runs free from every vein
and father I can have no more

So he got on his milk white steed
And she on a dapple grey
He swung his bugle horn around his neck
and they went riding away

Soon they rode up to his mother's gate
and tingling at the ring
oh mother oh mother asleep or awake
arise and let me in

oh mother oh mother come and bind my head
for my wounds are very sore
the blood runs free from every vein
for me you will bind it no more

now about two hours before it was day
all the fowls began to crow
Sweet William died of the wounds he received
Fair Ellen died from sorrow

There was a lady, and a lady gay.
Of children, she had three.
She sent them away to the north country
for to learn their grammary.
They had not been there very long,
but only six weeks and a day,
when death, cold death, come hastening along,
and stole those babes away.
She had a dream when the nights are long.
when the nights are long and cold.
She thought she saw her three little babes
come walking to their home.
She set them a table, both long and wide,
and on it she put bread and wine.
"Come and eat, come and eat, my three little babes.
Come and eat, come drink of mine."
"We want none of your bread, mother,
and neither do we want your wine,
for yonder stands our Saviour dear,
to call us to his arms.
Cold clay lies above our head, mother.
The green grass grows above our feet,
and every tear that you shed for us,
it wets our winding sheet."

It was agreed that when she died
would he be buried with her
With a candle and a jug of wine
to keep the snakes from feeding on her
The first to come he cut in three
to keep his promise to her
The second came with three snake leaves
and bound the first together


Three snake leaves to bind four wounds
and change your tears for laughter
One for sorrow, two for mirth
and three for ever after

He placed a leaf on her grey lips
and one on each cold eye
in hope that as the snake was bound
his love would cease to die
and oh the joy when she awoke,
until a change came on her
when "I'll be ever with you" came
to "forever's come and gone now"

Wake up, wake up, you drowsy sleeper.
Wake up, wake up, for it's almost day.
How can you lie, and sleep, and slumber
when your true love is going away?
Oh, who's that knocking at my window?
Oh, who is it, pray tell to me?
It's me, it's me, your own true lover.
Awake, arise, and go with me.
Oh, go love, go, and ask your father
if that this night you could be my bride.
If he says no, return and tell me.
Be the last time that I bother thee.
Oh, I can't go and ask my father,
for he is on his bed of rest,
and by his side there lies a weapon
for to kill the one that I love best.
So I will go to some wide river.
I'll spend my days, my months and years,
eat any thing but the long green willow,
drink salt all from my flowing tears.