Lord Lovel- Beam (KY) 1960 Roberts
[From: In the Pine; Roberts, 1979. his notes follow.
R. Matteson 2015]
The number of Kentucky texts is rather modest, one each in SharpK, Kysyll, FSKM, Thomas' Singin' Gatherin', and five in my collection. The present text without tune was turned in by Clifton Beam, Montgomery County, in 1960.
Lord Lovel he stood at his castle gate,
A-combing his milk-white steed,
When along came Lady Nancy Bell,
A-wishing her lover good speed, speed, speed,
A-wishing her lover good speed.
"Oh, where are you going, Lord Lovel?" she said,
"Oh, where are you going?" said she.
"I'm going, dear Lady Nancy Bell,
Strange countries for to see."
"When will you be back, Lord Lovel?" she said,
"When will you be back?" said she.
"In a year or two or three at the most
I'll return to my Lady Nancee."
He'd not been gone but a year and a day,
Strange countries for to see,
When languishing thoughts came into his mind,
Lady Nancy Bell he would see.
He rode and he rode on his milk-white steed,
Till he reached fair London Town,
And there he heard St. Varney's bell,
And the people all mourning around.
"Is anyone dead?" Lord Lovel he said,
"Is anyone dead?" said he.
"A lady is dead," the people all said,
"And they call her the Lady Nancy."
He ordered the grave to be opened forthwith,
The shroud to be folded down,
And then he kissed her clay-cold lips
Till the tears came trickling down.
Lady Nancy she died as it might be today,
Lord Lovel he died tomorrow,
Lady Nancy she died of pure, pure grief,
Lord Lovel he died of sorrow.
Lady Nancy was laid in St. Clement's churchyard,
Lord Lovel was buried close by her,
And out of her bosom there grew a red rose,
And out of his backbone a brier.