Elfin Knight (4 versions)- Traditional Ballads from NE; Barry 1905
From: Traditional Ballads in New England II
by Phillips Barry
The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 18, No. 70 (Jul. - Sep., 1905), pp. 191-214
XIII. THE ELFIN KNIGHT
A. "Blow ye winds, blow." No. 3, in "Family Songs," compiled by Rosa S. Allen, in whose family it has been traditional for many generations.
1. You must make me a fine Holland shirt:
Blow, blow, blow, ye winds blow.
And not have in it a stitch of needle-work:
Blow, ye winds that arise, blow, blow.
2 You must wash it in yonder spring,
Where there's never a drop of water in.
3 You must dry it on yonder thorn,
Where the sun never yet shone on.
4. My father's got an acre of land,
You must dig it with a goose quill.
5. You must sow it with one seed,
You must reap it with your thumb nail.
6. You must thrash it on yonder sea,
And not get it wet, or let a kernel be.
7. You must grind it on yonder hill,
Where there yet has ne'er stood a mill.
8. When you've done, and finished your work,
Bring it unto me, and you shall have your shirt.
B. Recorded about 1875, by S. A. F., Providence, R. I., from the singing of an aged man, born in the year 1800.
1. I want you to make me a cambric shirt,
Parsley and sage, rosemary and thyme,
Without any needle or any fine work,
And then you shall be a true lover of mine.
2 Go wash it out in yonder well,
Where there's never no water nor drop of rain fell.
3. Go hang it out on yonder thorn,
Where there's never no blossom, since Adam was born.
4. Now, since you have asked me questions three,
I pray you would grant me the same liberty.
5. I want you to buy me an acre of land,
Between the salt water and the sea sand.
6. Go plough it all up with one cuckold's horn,
Go sow it all down with one peppercorn.
7. Go reap it all up with a sickle of leather,
And bind it all up with one cock's feather.
C. Contributed March, 1904, by I. L. M., Vineland, N . J., formerly of Lynn, Mass.
1. You go and make me a cambric shirt,
Let every rose grow merry in time,
Without any seam or needlework,
Then you shall be a true lover of mine.
2. Go wash it out on yonder hill,
Where rain never was, and dew never fell.
3. Go hang it out on yonder thorn,
That never was budded since Adam was born.
4. And now you have asked me questions three,
I hope you'll answer as many for me.
5. You go and buy me an acre of land,
Between the salt water and the sea sand.
6. Go plough it all o'er with an old ram's horn,
Go sow it all o'er with one peppercorn.
7. Go reap it all down with a peacock's feather,
Go thrash it all out with the sting of an adder.
8. And when you have done, and finished your work,
Come unto me, and I will give you the shirt.
D. "Love's Impossibility.' From "Songs for the Million," printed in this country about 1844. Contributed by J. E. W., Boston, Mass.
1. Canst thou make me a cambric shirt,-
Savory, sage, rosemary, and thyme,
Without e'er a needle, or one stitch of work,
And I will be a true lovier of thine,
And I will be a true lovier of thine.
2. Canst thou wash it at yonder well,
Whose water ne'er sprung, nor rain ever fell?
3. Canst thou dry it at yonder thorn,
Where blossoms ne'er blew, since Adam was born?
4. Canst thou buy me an acre of land,
Betwixt the salt water and the sea sand?
5. Canst thou plough it with a cow's horn,
And sow it all over with one peppercorn?
6. Canst thou reap it with straps of leather,
And tie it all up in a peacock's feather?