The Twa Brothers- Hartan (NS) Creighton 1950
[Creighton's title, not a local title. From Creighton and Senior, Traditional Songs from Nocva Scotia; 1950, pp. 25-26. There are few versions collected in the Canada. See also Peacock 1959.
R. Matteson 2014]
[The Twa Brothers]- Sung by Mrs. R. W. Duncan and Richard Hartland, Nova Scotia,
Will you go to the footing of the hills[1]
Or to the marvelous hall,
Or will you go to the merry green fields
To dance amongst them all.
No I won't go to the footing of the hills
Nor to the marvelous hall,
But I will go to the merry green fields
For to dance amongst them-all."
Now Willie had a little pen knife
It being both keen and sharp.
And betwixt the short ribs and the long
He pierced his brother to the heart.
"Oh it's when you get home to my own mother dear
She'll enquire for her son John,
You can tell her that he's there in old Engaland
A-learning the hounds for to run.
"And when you get there in old Engaland
She'll enquire for her love John,
You can tell her that he's dead and into his grave
And perhaps he never will return."
She flung her apron all over her head
And she mourned the streets all round,
Until she mourned her true love out of his grave,
For rest he never had none.
1. This possibly was 'rolling of the stones' at one point.