[Seven Sons Bold] Earl Brand- Mrs. Lizzie Gibson, Crozet VA 1918; Sharp Version E
[My title. From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians; Sharp and Karpeles, 1932; Version E.
R. Matteson 2011, 2014]
[Seven Sons Bold]- Version E- Mrs. Lizzie Gibson, Crozet Va., April 26, 1918
1. Wake you up, wake you up, you seven sleepers
And do take warning of me;
O do take care of your oldest daughter dear
For the youngest are going with me.
2. He mounted her up on his bonny, bonny brown
Himself on the dark apple grey,
He drew his buckles down by his side
And away he went singing away.
3. Get you up, get you up, my seven sons bold
Get on your arms so bright;
For it never shall be said that a daughter of mine
Shall lie with a lord all night.
4. He rode, he rode that livelong day
Along with his lady so dear,
Until he saw her seventh brother come
And her father were walking so near.
5. Get you down, get you down, Lady Margaret, he cried,
And hold my horse for awhile,
Until I can fight your seventh brother bold,
And your father is walking so nigh.
6. She held, she held, she bitter[1], bitter held
And never shedded one tear,
Until she saw her seventh brother fall
And her father she loved so dear.
7. Do you choose for to go Lady Margaret, he cried,
Do you choose for to go or to stay?
O I'll go, I'll go, Lord Thomas, she cried
For you've left me without any guide.
8. He mounted her up on his bonny, bonny brown
Himself on the dark apple grey,
He drew his buckles down by his side
And away he went bleeding away.
9. He rode, he rode, that livelong night
Till he came to his mother's stand;
Get you down, get you down, Lady Margaret, he cried
So that we can rest for a while.
10. It's mother, mother, make my bed
And fix it smooth and wide,
And lie my lady down by my side
So that we can rest awhile.
11. Lord Thomas he died by midnight,
Lady Margaret before it was day;
And the old woman for the loss of her son
And there was several lives lost.
1. Better? (Sharp) cf She held, she held, she better have held. (Brown)