Lord William and Lady Margaret- Delorme (NY) c. 1880
[From Ballads Migrant in New England; Flander; also Ancient Ballads; 1966. This is the sole offer from Flanders of Child 7.
R. Matteson 2011, 2014]
Lord William and Lady Margaret- Mrs. Lily Delorme of Cadyville, NY; c. 1880; She was born in 1869 and learned this ballad at her home as a child. Collected in 1942.
"Lie down, Lie down," Lord William cried,
"And hold my steed in hand,
For betwixt your father and your seven brothers bold,
I quicklie make a stand."
"O stop, O stop, Lord William," she cried,
"I fear that you've been slain,
I fear my seven brothers have been slain,
And likewise my father has been slain."
Then she ta'en our her handkerchief
That was of the holland so fine
And she did up her father's bloody wounds
That run as red as wine.
"Now make my bed, lady mother," he said,
"And make it broad and neat
And lay Lady Margaret by my side
That sounder I may sleep."
Lord William died long in the night,
Lady Margaret long in the day,
And they took them both home to St. Mary's church
And laid them in the clay.
Out of Lady Margaret's grave there grew a primrose
And out of the knight's a briar
And they linked and they tied in a true lover's knot
And withered away together.