The Three Sisters- Davies Gilbert, 1823; Child No. 1 B
[From Davies Gilbert, Some Ancient Christmas Carols, 1823. Below are titles and various versions based on Gilbert's 1823 incomplete version- the first line of the last stanza is missing as well as the third question. The missing line is supplied in subsequent editions. The "dew" or "dow" that flies over the mulberry tree is "dove". Additional titles have come from the burden (refrain) "Jennifer, Gentle and Rosemaree."
Child lists this as:
B.'The Three Sisters.' Some Ancient Christmas Carols ... together with two Ancient Ballads, etc. By Davies Gilbert, 2d ed., p. 65.
R. Matteson 2011]
Titles: The Three Sisters (Davies Gilbert, Some Ancient Christmas Carols)
The Riddling Knight (The Oxford Book of Ballads. 1910) [see below]
The Three Sisters (The original from 1823- also found above as Riddling Knight)
Source: Davies Gilbert, Some Ancient Christmas Carols. London: John Nichols And Son, Second Edition, 1823, pp. 65-67.
1. There were three Sisters fair and bright,
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And they three loved one valiant Knight,
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
2. The eldest Sister let him in,
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And barred the door with a silver pin,
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
3. The second Sister made his bed,
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And placed soft pillows under his head,
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
4. The youngest Sister fair and bright
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
Was resolved for to wed with this valiant Knight,
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
[Here some verses seem to be wanting.]
5. And if you can answer questions three,
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
Oh! then, fair Maid, I will marry with thee,
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
6. What is louder than an horn?
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And what is sharper than a thorn?
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
7. Thunder is louder than a horn,
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And hunger is sharper than a thorn,
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
8. What is broader than the way?
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And what is deeper than the sea?
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
9. Lover is broader than the way,
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And hell is deeper than the sea,
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
[The third question is wanting, and also the
first line of the concluding verse.]
.....
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And now, fair Maid, I will marry with thee,
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
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Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. (1863–1944). The Oxford Book of Ballads. 1910.
9. The Riddling Knight
I. THERE were three sisters fair and bright,
Jennifer, Gentle and Rosemary,
And they three loved one valiant knight—
As the dow flies over the mulberry-tree.
II. The eldest sister let him in,
And barr’d the door with a silver pin.
III. The second sister made his bed,
And placed soft pillows under his head.
IV. The youngest sister that same night
Was resolved for to wed wi’ this valiant knight.
V. ‘And if you can answer questions three,
O then, fair maid, I’ll marry wi’ thee.
VI. ‘O what is louder nor a horn,
Or what is sharper nor a thorn?
VII. ‘Or what is heavier nor the lead,
Or what is better nor the bread?
VIII. ‘Or what is longer nor the way,
Or what is deeper nor the sea?’—
IX. ‘O shame is louder nor a horn,
And hunger is sharper nor a thorn.
X. ‘O sin is heavier nor the lead,
The blessing’s better nor the bread.
XI. ‘O the wind is longer nor the way
And love is deeper nor the sea.’
XII. [‘You have answer’d aright my questions three,]
Jennifer, Gentle and Rosemary;
And now, fair maid, I’ll marry wi’ thee,
As the dow flies over the mulberry-tree.
GLOSS: [dow] dove.
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