Brother's Revenge- Granny Holcolm, Kingdom Come Valley, KY; July 7, 1932 Collected by John Jacob Niles.
[From the Ballad Book, 1961, Niles. Granny Holcolm was "nigh on to 95" years old when she sang this ballad for collector John Jacob Niles.
R. Matteson 2011]
Listen to Niles on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsqDuHQt6N0&feature=related
BROTHER'S REVENGE- Granny Holcolm, Kingdom Come Valley, KY; July 7, 1932
Three fine maids did play at ball,
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
Three fine maids did play at ball,
Came three lords and wooed them all,
Il-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.'
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay.
The second lord was dressed in red,
Il-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,'
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'You must ask my father dear,
Mother, too, who did me bear.'
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'I have asked them one and all,'
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'I have asked them one and all,
Save Sister Anne and Brother John.'
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
Father dear did lead her down,
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
Father dear did lead her down,
Mother, sister kissed her crown.
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
John did place her on her steed
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
John did place her on her steed
Ere he did the cruel deed.
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'Kiss me, Sister, ere you part.'
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'Kiss me, Sister, ere you part.'
As he kissed, he stabbed her heart.
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'Would that I were on yonder stile,'
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'Would that I were on yonder stile,
That I might rest and bleed a while.'
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'Carry me to yon little green hill,'
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'Carry me to yon little green hill,
That I might rest and make my will.'
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'What will you give your father dear?'
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'What will you give your father dear?'
'The milk-white steed that carried me here.'
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'What will you give your mother own?'
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'What will you give your mother own?'
'She may have my blood-stained gown.'
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'What will you give your brother John?'
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'What will you give your brother John?'
'A gallow's pin to hang him on!'
Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,