Lord Thomas- cannady (VA) 1918 Sharp MS
[First part minus ending with music (Sharp probably just stopped writing text- since it's similar to many versions); Bronson, TTCB, No. 68; Sharp MSS., 4496/3162.
R. Matteson 2014]
68. [Lord Thomas and Fair Ellender] Sung by Mrs. Sarah Virginia Cannady, Endicott, Franklin County, Va., August 22, 1918.
1. O mother, O mother, come riddle my sport,
Come riddle it all as one,
Whether I shall marry fair Ellender,
Or bring the brown girl home.
2. The brown girl she has house and land,
Fair Ellender she has none,
Therefore I advise you with all my blessing
To bring the brown girl home.
3. Go saddle up my milk-white horse,
Go saddle him up with speed;
I'm going to invite fair Ellender
To come to my wedding.
4. He rode and he rode till he came to the hall,
He tingled at the ring;
There was none so ready as fair Ellender herself
To rise and let him in.
5. What news, what news, Lord Thomas, she cried.
What news do you bring to me?
I come to invite you to my wedding.
Is that good news to thee?
6. Bad news, bad news, Lord Thomas, she replied,
Bad news you bring to me.
I thought I was to be the bride,
And you the bridegroom to be.
7. O mother, O mother, come riddle my sport,
Come riddle it all as one,
Whether I shall go to Lord Thomas's wedding,
Or tarry with you at [h]ome.
8. She dressed herself in scarlet red,
Her waiting-maids in green;
And every city that she rode through
They taken her to be some queen.
9. She rode and she rode till she came to the hall,
She tingled at the ring;
There was none so ready as Lord Thomas himself
To rise and let her in.