The Two Sisters- (Southern Appalachian) Richardson 1927
[From: American Mountain Songs by Ethel Park Richardson, 1927 with music. No informant, date or location indicated. Richardson, a song collector and performer from Chattanooga Tennessee, says the songs come from mountain folk from the states of Tennessee, the Carolinas, North Georgia, Kentucky, Virginia and Missouri.
R. Matteson 2014]
The Two Sisters
There lived an old lord by the Northern Sea,
Bow-ee down!
There lived an old lord by the Northern Sea,
Bow and balance to me!
There lived an old lord by the Northern Sea,
And he had daughters one, two, three,
I'll be true to my love,
If my love'll be true to me.
A young man came a-courting there,
Bow-ee down!
A young man came a-courting there,
Bow and balance to me!
A young man came a-courting there,
And he had choice of the youngest fair,
Ill be true to my love
If my love'll be true to me.
3. He bought this youngest a beaver hat,
Bow-ee down !
He bought this youngest a beaver hat,
Bow and balance to me!
He bought this youngest a beaver hat,
And the oldest sister didn't like that,
I'll be true to my love,
If my love'll be true to me!
4. As they walked down to the water's brim,
Bow-ee down!
As they walked down to the water's brim,
Bow and balance to me!
As they walked down to the water's brim,
The oldest pushed the youngest in.
I'll be true to my love,
If my love'll be true to me!
5. "O sister, O sister, lend me your hand,"
Bow-ee down !
O sister, O sister, lend me your hand,
Bow and balance to me!
O sister, O sister, lend me your hand,
And you may have my house and land,
I'll be true to my love,
If my love'll be true to me!
6. She floated down to the miller's dam,
Bow-ee down!
She floated down to the miller's darn,
Bow and balance to me!
She floated down to the miller's dam,
The miller drew her safe to land.
I'll be true to my love,
If my love'll be true to me!
7. And off her fingers took five gold rings,
Bow-ee down!
And off her fingers took five gold rings,
Bow and balance to me!
And off fingers took five gold rings,
And into the water he plunged her again.
I'll be true to my love,
If my love'll be true to me!
8. The miller was hanged on a gallows so high
Bow-ee down!
The miller was hanged on a gallows so high
Bow and balance to me!
The miller was hanged on a gallows so
The oldest sister there close by,
I'll be true to my love,
If my love'll be true to me!