The Three Knights- (West England, Cornwall) 1823 Davies Gilbert; Child F
[From Gilbert's Ancient Christmas Carols, 2d ed., p. 68. Davies Gilbert (born Davies Giddy, 1767) included two ballads among his Christmas carols. Gilbert heard these carols and songs as a child in the west of England, probably Cornwall. Although the ballad could date as early as c.1775, no date can accurately be assigned,
R. Matteson 2014, 2018]
"The Three Knights," as remembered by the editor, Davies Gilbert, West of England (Cornwall); published in 1823. Child 11F
1 There did three knights come from the west,
With the high and the lily oh
And these three knights courted one lady.
As the rose was so sweetly blown
2 The first knight came was all in white,
With the high and the lily oh
And asked of her, if she'd be his delight.
As the rose was so sweetly blown
3 The next knight came was all in green,
With the high and the lily oh
And asked of her, if she'd be his queen.
As the rose was so sweetly blown
4 The third knight came was all in red,
With the high and the lily oh
And asked of her, if she would wed.
As the rose was so sweetly blown
5 'Then have you asked of my father dear,
With the high and the lily oh
Likewise of her who did me bear?
As the rose was so sweetly blown
6 'And have you asked of my brother John?
With the high and the lily oh
And also of my sister Anne?'
As the rose was so sweetly blown
7 'Yes, I have asked of your father dear,
With the high and the lily oh
Likewise of her who did you bear.
As the rose was so sweetly blown
8 'And I have asked of your sister Anne,
With the high and the lily oh
But I've not asked of your brother John.'
As the rose was so sweetly blown
9 Far on the road as they rode along,
With the high and the lily oh
There did they meet with her brother John.
As the rose was so sweetly blown
10 She stooped low to kiss him sweet,
With the high and the lily oh
He to her heart did a dagger meet.
As the rose was so sweetly blown
11 'Ride on, ride on,' cried the serving man,
With the high and the lily oh
'Methinks your bride she looks wondrous wan.'
As the rose was so sweetly blown
12 'I wish I were on yonder stile,
With the high and the lily oh
For there I would sit and bleed awhile.
As the rose was so sweetly blown
13 'I wish I were on yonder hill,
With the high and the lily oh
There I'd alight and make my will.'
As the rose was so sweetly blown
14 'What would you give to your father dear?'
With the high and the lily oh
'The gallant steed which doth me bear.'
As the rose was so sweetly blown
15 'What would you give to your mother dear?'
With the high and the lily oh
'My wedding shift which I do wear.
As the rose was so sweetly blown
16 'But she must wash it very clean,
With the high and the lily oh
For my heart's blood sticks in evry seam.'
As the rose was so sweetly blown
17 'What would you give to your sister Anne?'
With the high and the lily oh
'My gay gold ring and my feathered fan.'
As the rose was so sweetly blown
18 'What would you give to your brother John?'
With the high and the lily oh
'A rope and gallows to hang him on.'
As the rose was so sweetly blown
19 'What would you give to your brother John's wife?'
With the high and the lily oh
'A widow's weeds, and a quiet life.'
As the rose was so sweetly blown