Outlandish Knight- John Webb (Warw) 1912 Sharp MS
[From Cecil Sharp Manuscript Collection (at Clare College, Cambridge) (CJS2/10/2777). Bronson 46.
R. Matteson 2018]
The Outlandish Knight- sung by John Webb at Pillerton, Warwickshire on April 11, 1912
O the outlandish Knight came from the North Land
He came a wooing to me
He say he would taken her unto the north land
If she would marry he.
But fetch me some of your father's gold
And some of your mother's fee
And two of the best nags out of the stables
Where there stands thirty & three.
Then she mounted on her milk white steed
And he on his dapple grey
They rode till they came to the sea water deep
Just three hours before it was day.
Pull off, pull off your rich silken gown
Deliver it up to me
For I think it looks too rich & too good
To rot all in the salt sea.
Pull off, pull off your pretty petticoat
Deliver it up to me,
For I think it looks too rich & too good
To rot all in the salt sea.
If I pull off my rich silken gown
Pray turn your back to me
It is not fitting that such a ruffian as thou
Should see my naked body.
If I pull off my pretty petticoat
Pray turn your back to me
It is not fitting that such a ruffian as thou
Should see my naked body.
He turned his back towards her
To view the leaves so green
She caught he round the middle so small
And bundled him into the stream
He gropped high he gropped low
Until he came to the side
Catch hold of my hand you pretty lady
And now I will make you my bride
Lie there lie there you false hearted Knight
Lie there instead of me
Six pretty maidens you have drowned them
And the seventh has drowned thee
Then she mounted on her milk white steed
And led the dappled grey
Until she came to her father's house
Three hours before it was day.
Don't prittle & prattle my pretty Polly
Thy cage shall be of the glistening gold
Although it is made of a tree.
Don't prittle & prattle my pretty Polly
Thy cage shall be of the glistening gold
And the lid of the best ivory.