Lord Lover- DeCoster (ME) 1925 Barry B
[From: British Ballads from Maine; 1929. Barry, Eckstorm, Smyth.
R. Matteson 2014]
B. "Lord Lovel." Sent in July, 1925.- by Mr. Justin DeCoster of Buckfield.
1 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,
When along came Lady Nancy Bell
A-wishing her lover good speed.
2. "Oh, where are you going, Lord Lovel?" she said,
"Oh, where are you going ?" said she.
"I'm going, my Lady Nancy Bell,
Strange countries for to see,
I'm going, my Lady Nancy Bell,
Strange countries for to see."
3. "How long will you be gone, Lord Lovel?" she said,
"How long will you be gone?" said she.
"A year, or two, or three at the most,
And I'll return to my Lady Nancy,
A year, or two, or three at the most,
And I'll return to my Lady Nancy."
4. He hadn't been gone but a year and one day,
Strange countries for to see,
When languishing thoughts came into his mind,
"Lady Nancy I'll go and see,"
When languishing thoughts came into his mind,
"Lady Nancy I'll go and see."
5. He rode and he rode his milk-white steed,
Till he came to London Town,
And there he saw St. Peter's church open,
And the people stood mourning all round,
And there he saw St. Peter's church open,
And the people stood mourning all round.
6. "Who is it that's dead?" Lord Lovel he said,
"Who is it that's dead?" said he.
"Your love-lady is dead," a woman replied,
"And some call her Lady Nancy,"
"Your love-lady is dead," a woman replied,
"And some call her Lady Nancy."
7. He ordered the grave to be opened forthwith,
The shroud to be turned down,
And there he kissed her clay-cold lips
Till the tears came trickling down,
And there he kissed her clay-cold lips,
Till the tears came trickling down.
8. Lady Nancy died as it might be today,
Lord Lovel he died as tomorrow;
Lady Nancy died out of pure, pure grief,
Lord Lovel he died [of sorrow]
Lady Nancy died out of pure, pure grief,
Lord Lovel he died [of sorrow].
9. Lady Nancy was buried in a churchyard,
Lord Lovel was buried in a [choir],
And out of her bosom there grew a red rose,
And out of her lover's a briar,
And out of her bosom there grew a red rose,
And out of her lover's a briar.
10. They grew and they grew till they reached the church top,
Where they could grow no higher,
And there they twined in a true lover's knot,
For all the true lovers to admire,
And there they twined in a true lover's knot,
For all the true lovers to admire.