Lord Benner- Glidden (ME) c1878 Barry A b
[My title. My date, although the date could be c.1828 as in 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. This version is missing the first stanzas which are provided from A a taken Frank Carr. His text with minor changes is found at the beginning in parenthesis [ ].
R. Matteson 2015]
LITTLE MUSGRAVE AND LADY BARNARD
(Child 81)
Ab. [Lord Benner] Fragment of the foregoing, as remembered, April 25, 1928, by Mrs. Mary Glidden, Brewer, daughter of Mrs. George W. Glidden. Melody noted by Miss Glidden.
[Four and twenty ladies [1]
All being at a ball,
Lord Benner's[2] wife amongst them,
The fairest of them all.
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."
"I dare not take a ride with you,
I dare not for my life,
By the ring on your fore-finger
I know you are Lord Banner's wife."
"Well, what if I am Lord Benner's wife!
Lord Benner is not at home,
Lord Benner has gone to Indemption
To get an emerald throne."
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."
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.
He ran till he came to Lord Benner's hall,
He gave a loud rap at the ring,
And who should be glad as Lord Benner himself
To let the fair page in.
"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?"
"None of your castles are down, Sir,
None of your towers three,
But Musgrove[3] of Scotland is in bed
With your fair lady."]
1. "If this be a lie you are telling me, [4]
As I suppose it to be,
I'll rig for you a gallows
And hang you from a tree."
They huddled and they cuddled
Till they were fast asleep,
And early in the morning
Lord Benner stood at their feet.
"How do you like my blankets fine?
And how do you like my sheets?
And how do you like my Lady fair,
Who lies in your arms asleep?"
"Right well do I like your blankets fine,
Right well do I like your, sheets,
But best of all your Lady fair,
Who lies in my arms asleep."
5. "Rise up, rise up, put on your clothes,
As quick as ever you can,
For it ne'er'll be said in Old England
I fought with a naked man."
6. "To rise, to rise, I dare not,
I dare not for my life ;
For by your side you have two bright swords,
And f not a single one."
7. "What if I have got two blight swords?
They cost me deep in purse;
You may take the very best one
And I will take the worst.
8. "You may strike the very first blow,
And strike it like a man,
And I will strike the second blow
And kill you, if I can."
9. Musgrove struck the very first blow
And wounded Lord Benner full sore;
Lord Benner struck the second blow
And laid him in his gore.
1. text from A a by Frank Carr.
2. Banner's (throughout Aa)
3. Young Grover
4. Glidden's text begins here (stanza 1)