lord thomas and fair ellender

oh

father

oh father

come riddle to me

come riddle it all as 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

so therefore i charge you with my blessing

go bring the brown girl home'

he got on his horse and he rode and he rode

he rode 'til he came to her hall

and no one so ready as fair ellen herself

to rise and welcome 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

dear mother

should i go

should i stay?'

fair child

do as you please

but i'm afraid if you go you'll never return

to see your mother any more

she turned around all dressed in white

her sisters dressed in green

and every town that they rode through

they took her to be some queen

they rode and they rode 'til they came to the hall

she pulled on the bell and it rang

and no one so ready as lord thomas himself

to rise and welcome her in

then taking fair ellender by the hand

and 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 knives ground keen and sharp

and between the long ribs and the short

she pierced fair ellender's heart

lord thomas he was standing by

with knives ground keen and sharp

and between the long ribs and the short

he pierced his own bride's heart

then 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 large

wide and deep

and place fair ellender in my arms

and the brown girl at my feet