False-Hearted Knight: J. Brightwell (Suf) 1947
[From ATM V ATL 556.4d. Columbia World Library of Folk and Primitive Music, Vol. III, SL-206, Side I, Band 4, Item 28. Alan Lomax, General Editor.
R. Matteson 2018]
"The False-Hearted Knight." Sung by Jumbo Brightwell, East Bridge, Suffolk, England, 1947. Collected by Phil Tanner.
1. "Now it was over False Knight who came from Northland,
He came a-courting me.
He promised to take me down to that Northland
And there his bride might be."
2. "So come give me some of your mother's gold
And some of your father's fee,
And two of the best of this out of her stable
Where stand by thirty and three."
3. So she mounted her on her milk white steed
And he on his dapple and gray,
And away they did ride to the great waterside
So early before it was day.
4. "Jump you off, jump you off that milk white steed
And deliver it here to me.
For six pretty, fair maids I have drownded in here
And the seventh one you shall be."
5. "And take off, take off that silken gown
And lie it upon yon stone,
For I think it's too rich and I think it's too rare
To rot all in the salt sea."
6. "Then if I must take off my silken gown
Then turn your back upon me,
For I don't think it fit that a villain like you
A naked woman should see."
7. Then she gave him a push and a hearty push
And she pushed that False Knight in,
Crying, "Lie in there, you false-hearted knight,
Lie there instead of me,
For if six pretty, fair maids you have drownded in here,
The seventh one has drownded you."