The Two Sisters- Buell Kazee (KY) 1954
[From In the Pines Roberts 1978, w/music. According to Roberts, Kazee learned this ballad from his mother.
R. Matteson 2014]
The Two Sisters- Buell Kazee (KY) 1954
1. There was an old man lived by the sea
Bow--ie down
There was an old man lived by the sea
His bows were bent to me
There was an old man lived by the sea
And he had daughters, one, two, three
I'll be true, true to my love
If my love will be true to me.
2. There came a young man a-courting there,
Bow--ie down
There came a young man a-courting there,
His bows were bent to me
There came a young man a-courting there,
And he took choice of the youngest fair,
I'll be true, true to my love
If my love will be true to me.
3. He brought the youngest his beaver hat,
Bow--ie down
He brought the youngest his beaver hat,
His bows were bent to me
He brought the youngest his beaver hat,
And the oldest sister didn't like that,
I'll be true, true to my love
If my love will be true to me.
4. As they walked down to the water's brim,
Bow--ie down
As they walked down to the water's brim,
His bows were bent to me
As they walked down to the water's brim,
The oldest pushed the youngest in,
I'll be true, true to my love
If my love will be true to me.
5. O sister, O sister, lend me your hand,
Bow--ie down
O sister, O sister, lend me your hand,
His bows were bent to me
O sister, O sister, lend me your hand,
And may have my houses and land,
I'll be true, true to my love
If my love will be true to me.
6. She floated down to the miller's dam,
Bow--ie down
She floated down to the miller's dam,
His bows were bent to me,
She floated down to the miller's dam,
The miller drew her safe to land.
I'll be true, true to my love,
If my love will be true to me.
7. And off of her fingers took five gold rings,
Bow---ie down,
And off of her fingers took five gold rings,
His bows were bent to me,
And off of her fingers took five gold rings,
And into the water he plunged her again.
I'll be true, true to my love,
If my love will be true
8. The miller was hanged
Bow---ie down,
The miller was hanged on the gallows high,
His bows were bent to me,
The miller was hanged on the gallows high,
The oldest sister there close by.
I'll be true, true to my love,
If my love will be true to me.