The Two Sisters- Kittredge (N.Y.) 1886
[My title. From The English and Scottish Popular Ballads, Volume 2, Part 2, Child Z; added in Additions and Corrections by George Lyman Kittredge 1886.
R. Matteson 2011, 2014]
THE TWO SISTERS- 496 a. This copy of 'The Twa Sisters,' Z, a variety of R, was derived from ladies in New York, and by them from a cousin.
1 There was a man lived in the West,
Sing bow down, bow down
There was a man lived in the West,
The bow was bent to me
There was a man lived in the West,
He loved his youngest daughter best;
So you be true to your own true-love
And I'll be true to thee.
2 He gave the youngest a beaver hat;
The eldest she was mad at that.
3 He gave the youngest a gay gold ring;
The eldest she had nothing.
4 As they stood by the river's brim,
The eldest pushed the youngest in.
5 'Oh dear sister, hand me your hand,
And I'll give you my house and land.
6 'Oh dear sister, hand me your glove,
And you shall have my own true-love.'
7 First she sank and then she swam,
She swam into the miller's dam.
8 The miller, with his line and hook,
He caught her by the petticoat
9 He robbed her of her gay gold ring,
And then he threw her back again.
10 The miller, he was burnt in flame,
The eldest sister fared the same.