Brother’s Revenge

Three fine maids did play at ball,
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
Three fine maids did play at ball,
Came three lords and wooed them all,
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay.

The first young lord was dressed in yellow,
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
The first young lord was dressed in yellow,
‚Come, fair maid, and be my marrow.‘
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay.

The second lord was dressed in red,
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
The second lord was dressed in red,
The last of the lords was dressed in green,
‚Come, fair maid, and be my queen.‘
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,

‚You must ask my father dear,‘
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
‚You must ask my father dear,
Mother, too, who did me bear.‘
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,

‚I have asked them one and all,‘
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
‚I have asked them one and all,
Save Sister Anne and Brother John.‘
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,

Father dear did lead her down,
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
Father dear did lead her down,
Mother, sister kissed her crown.
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,

John did place her on her steed
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
John did place her on her steed
Ere he did the cruel deed.
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,

‚Kiss me, Sister, ere you part.‘
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
‚Kiss me, Sister, ere you part.‘
As he kissed, he stabbed her heart.
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,

‚Would that I were on yonder stile,‘
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
‚Would that I were on yonder stile,
That I might rest and bleed a while.‘
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,

‚Carry me to yon little green hill,‘
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
‚Carry me to yon little green hill,
That I might rest and make my will.‘
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,

‚What will you give your father dear?‘
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
‚What will you give your father dear?‘
‚The milk-white steed that carried me here.‘
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,

‚What will you give your mother own?‘
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
‚What will you give your mother own?‘
‚She may have my blood-stained gown.‘
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,

‚What will you give your brother John?‘
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
‚What will you give your brother John?‘
‚A gallow’s pin to hang him on!‘
ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,