The Brown Girl- Light (KY-TX) 1862 Dobie
[From Tone the Bell Easy- p. 145; by James Frank Dobie, Mabel Major, 1932. Also in Man, Bird, and Beast - Issues 10-12 - Page 145, by Stith Thompson, James Frank Dobie - 1932.
The informant was Lowell T Bodiford (Born: August 29, 1909) and he learned the song from his grandmother on his mother's side, Nancy E. Light Bernard (1854 – 1929). She learned it as a child (I'm guessing around 8) in Kentucky. Lowell' mother was Annie Ellen Bernard (1884 – 1933) and his father was Lancie S. Bodiford (b. 1884).
Dobie's notes follow.
R. Matteson 2014]
Lord Thomas and Fair Ellinor
(Child, No. 73)
"The Brown Girl" was communicated by Lowell Bodiford, of Oatias. He learned it from his grandmother, Mrs.. N. E. Bernard who lived near Lipan, Texas. She learned it as a young girl in Kentucky. In her young womanhood in Texas it was used as a play-party song. This version is most like Child D. It begins with stanza 8 of Child D. The Scotch version of this popular ballad is known as "Lord Thomas and Fair Annet."
1. "Oh Mother, Oh Mother, unriddle my sport;
Unriddle it unto me:
It's must I go marry fair Eleanor,
Or bring the brown girl home to thee?"
2. "The brown girl she has house and land;
Fair Eleanor she has none;
Before I give you my last blessing,
Go bring the brown girl home."
3. "Go saddle my horse, unriddle my sport,
And I'll be on my way;
And I'll invite the fair Eleanor
Unto my wedding day."
4. He rode and he rode till he came to the hall;
He rapped it so loud it rung,
And no one was so ready as she
To rise and let him in.
5. "Lord Thomas, Lord Thomas, Lord Thomas," quoth she,
"Oh what's the news to be?"
"I have come to invite You
Unto my wedding day."
6. "Oh Mother, Oh Mother, unriddle my sport;
Unriddle it unto me:
It's must I go to Lord Thomas's wedding,
Or stay at home with thee?"
7. "Oh Daughter, Oh daughter, it's my advice,
It's my advice to thee
To stay at home with me tonight,
And let that wedding be."
8. She held up her waving hand,
Saying, "One and two and three-
Go gear my wild stage horses,
Lord Thomas's wedding I'll see."
9. She dressed, she dressed in scarlet red,
Her waist it hung in green;
And in every tavern that she passed thru
They took her to be a queen.
10. She rode, and she rode till she came to the hall,
She rapped so loud it rung;
And no one was so ready as he
To rise and let her in.
11. He took her by her lily white hand,
And led her thru the hall,
And sat her down at the head of the table
Among the ladies all.
12, "Lord Thomas, Lord Thomas, Lord Thomas," quoth she,
"Is this Your wonderful brown,
'When you could have got as fair a lady
As ever trod shoes on ground?"
13. The brown girl had a knife in her hand,
Both long and wide and sharp;
She placed it against fair Eleanor's breast
And Pierced it thru her heart.
14. "Lord Thomas, Lord Thomas, I'm dying now-
The end, it soon will be;
Oh, can't you see my own heart's blood
A-running down to thee?"
15. He took the brown girl by the hand,
And led her thru the hall,
And, rallying his sword, cut off her head,
And kicked it against the wall!
16. "Oh father, Oh father, go dig my grave
Both long and wide and deep,
And bury fair Eleanor in my arms,
And the brown girl at my feet."
17. He put the handle against the wall-
The point was toward his breast;
Said, "Here is the end of three lovers,
Lord, take them home to rest."