Lord Banner's Wife- Carr (ME) c1828 Barry A a
[From Barry Eckstorm, Smythe; British Ballads from Maine, 1929. Extensive notes which I assume are mainly from Barry may be found US and Canada versions page. A second recollection of this version (see A b; Lord Benner) is taken from the daughter of Mrs. George W. Glidden.
R. Matteson 2015]
LITTLE MUSGRAVE AND LADY BARNARD
(Child 81)
A a. "Lord Banner's Wife." Text sent in, February , 1928, by Mr Frank E. Carr of Monmouth, who learned it almost fifty years ago" from Mr. Fred McKay of Bangor, who learned it more than fifty years ago, when a boy, of Mrs. George W. Glidden of Brewer. Mrs. Glidden's father was named Shipton and was born in England; her mother was Scotch, a Fraser. It is not known in the family from which strain the ballad came down, or whether it was a family song. The music was recorded from Mr. McKay's singing by Mr. George Herzog.
1 Four and twenty ladies
All being at a ball,
Lord Banner's wife amongst them,
The fairest of them all.
2 She looked at him and he looked at her,
The like it never was seen.
"Oh, won't you take a ride with me,
Oh, won't you take a ride?
You can have a footman at your command
And a fair lady by your side."
3 "I dare not take a ride with you,
I dare not for my life,
By the ring on your fore-finger
f know you are Lord Banner's wife."
4 "Well, what if I am Lord Banner's wife!
Lord Banner is not at home,
Lord Banner has gone to Indemption
To get an emerald throne."
5 One of our fair pages standing by
He heard what was said and done;
He says, "My master shall hear of this
Before the rising sun."
6 He ran till he came to the riverside,
He smote on his breast and swam,
He swum till he came to the other side,
Then took to his heels and run.
7 He ran till he came to Lord Banner's hall,
He gave a loud rap at the ring,
And who should be glad as Lord Banner himself
To let the fair page in.
8 "What news, what news do you bring unto me,
What news, what news, I say?
Is any of my castles down,
Or any of my towers three?"
9 "None of your castles are down, Sir,
None of your towers three,
But Young Grover of Scotland is in bed
With your fair lady."
10 "If this be a lie you tell unto me,
As I suppose it to be,
I will rig-it a gallows
And hang-ed you shall be."
11. "If this is a lie I tell unto you,
As you suppose it to be,
You need not rig-it a gallows
But hang me at a tree."
* * * *
12. "Lie down, lie down pray keep me warm,
Pray keep me warm from the cold,
It's nothing but the shepherd boy
Driving his sheep to fold."
13. They huddled and they cuddled
Until they was fast asleep,
But early the next morning
Lord Banner stood at their feet.
14. "O, how do-you like my blankets fine,
And how do you like my sheets?
And how do you like the fair lady
That lies in your arms asleep?"
15. Right well I like your blankets fine,
Right well I like your sheets,
But better I like the fair lady
That lies in my arms asleep."
16. "Rise up, rise up, put on your clothes,
As quick as ever you can,
For it never was said in Scotland
That I fought with a naked man."
17. "To rise, to rise I dare not,
I dare not for my life,
For by your side are two bright shining swords,
And I not a single knife."
18. "Well, what if I have two bright shining swords,
They cost me deep in purse;
You may take the very best one,
And I will take the worst.
19. "And you may strike the very first blow,
And do it like a man,
And I will strike the second,
And kill you, if I can."
20. Young Grover struck the very first blow
That caused him grief and pain;
Lord Banner struck the second,
And laid him in his gore.
21. He took his fair lady by the hand,
He said to her this a plea:
"Which do you like the best, my dear,
Young Grover Scott or me?"
22. "Right well I like your ruby lips,
Right well I like your chin,
But better I like Young Grover
Than you or any of your kin."
23. He took his fair lady by the hair,
He split her head in twain,
There she lay bleeding on the floor,
She never got up again.
24. He took the sword from off the floor,
He ran it through his breast,
"Go dig my grave, go dig my grave,
Go dig it wide and deep,
Place the fair lady by my side
And young Grover at my feet."