Lord Thomas

"Father, come father, come riddle to me,
Come riddle it all in one,
And tell me whether to marry Fair Ellen
Or bring the Brown girl home."

The Brown girl she has house and land,
Fair Ellender she has none,
And there I charge you with the blessing
To bring the Brown girl home.

He got on his horse and he rode and he rode,
He rode 'til he came to the home,
And no one so ready as Fair Ellen herself
To rise and bid him in.

What news have you brought unto me, Lord Thomas?
What news have you brought unto me?
I've come to ask you to my wedding,
A sorrowful wedding to be.

Oh mother, oh mother, would you go or stay?
Fair child, do as you please,
I'm afraid if you go you'll never return
To see your mother any more.

She turned around and dressed in white
Her sisters dressed in green,
And every town that they strode through
They taken her to be some queen.

They rode and they rode 'til they came to the hall,
She pulled at the bell and it rang
And no one so ready as Lord Thomas himself
To rise and welcome her in.

He taken her by her lily white hand
When leading her through the hall
Saying fifty gay ladies are here today
But here is the flower of all.

The Brown girl she was standing by
With knife ground keen and sharp,
Between the long ribs and the short,
She pierced Fair Ellender's heart.

Lord Thoaas he was standing by
With knife ground keen and sharp,
Between the long ribs and the short
He pierced his own bride's heart.

By placing the handle against the wall,
The point against his breast,
Saying, "This is the ending of three true lovers,
God sends us all to rest.

Oh father, oh father, go dig my grave,
Go dig it wide and deep,
And place fair Ellender in my arms
And the Brown girl at my feet.

Child #73
As sung by Mike Seeger
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