Lady Margaret & King William- Davis (VT) 1939
[From Ballads Migrant in New England, Flanders. Also titled "King William and Lady Margaret" in Ancient Ballads, version A.
R. Matteson 2012, 2014]
Lady Margaret and King William- Mr Asa Davis; Milton, Vermont collected Flanders 1939
Lady Margaret was going to her high bow-er,
All for to comb her hair.
She saw King William and his bride,
A-going to church for prayers.
She threw down her ivory comb;
Threw back her yellow hair;
She threw herself from the high bow-er
And swore she would lie there.
Lady Margaret died in the middle of the night
When all the rest were asleep.
Her spirit left her fair bodee
And stood at Williams' feet.
"Oh, how do you like your bed," said she,
"And how do you like Your sheets
And how do you like that fair la-dee
That in your arms doth sleep?"
"Well do I like my bed," said he,
"And well do I like my sheets
But better do I like that fair la-dee
That stands at my bed's feet."
King Williams' bride awoke.
"I had a woeful dream," said she;
"I hope it never'll prove true-
I dreamt our cellar was filled with white wine;
Lady Margaret died for you."
"That is a woeful dream," said she;
"I hope it never'll Prove true,
But I'll go up to the high bower
A-member days anew."
King Williams went to the high bower;
He knocked so loud as to ring.
There was n6ne so ready as her own brother was
To arise and let him in.
"Oh, is she in the kitchen," said he,
"Or is she in the hall,
Or is she in the long chamber-
The upper room of all?"
"She is not in the kitchen," said she,
"Nor is she in the hall.
But she is in the long chamber dead
With her face turned to the wall."
He folded down the milk-white sheets
That were spread up over her head.
And there he saw. both black and yellow
Where it used to be white and red.
Twice he kissed her cheek, he said,
And twice he kissed her chin,
And trice he kissed those clay-cold lips
Where there was no breath within.
Fay Margaret died in the middle of the night.
Sweet Williams he died on the morrow
Lady Margaret died for pure good love;
Sweet Williams he died for sorrow.
Lady Margaret was buried in the high church yard;
Sweet Williams was buried there beside her.
And out of Lady Margaret's breast grew a rose
And out of Sweet Williams' a briar.
They grew 'til they grew to the high church top
Where they could nor grow any higher.
There they tied themselves in a true lover's knot
And they died away together.
Come, all young men and maidens,
See this rose and the briar meet.
'Tis enough to break the hardest of hearts
And the driest of eyes for to weep. (Last three words spoken)