William and Margaret- Waugh (ON) 1918 Barbeau
[From "Canada Folk-Lore from Ontario"; Journal of American Folklore Vol. 31, 1918; p. 74 by Barbeau.
R. Matteson 2014]
"Margaret and William"- sung by Mrs. N. C. Waugh. This version was obtained from Mrs. N. C. Waugh, who had often heard her mother sing it. It was recalled by the informant with some difficulty, and with the assistance of a version very like it found in Percy's "Reliques of Ancient English Poetry." It is probable that several entire verses have been forgotten.
1 Lady Marg(a)ret sat in her bower window,[1]
Combing her yellow hair
There she spied sweet William and his bride
As they were riding near.
2. He[2] called up his merry men all,
By one, by two, and by three;
Saying, "I'll away to fair Margaret's bower,
By the leave of you, my dear."
3. And when he came to Margaret's bower,
He knocketh at the door;
And who was so ready as her seven brothers
To rise and let him in?
"I'll do more for thee, Lady Margaret so fair,
Than any of thy kin,
For I will kiss thy pale, cold lips,
For you cannot kiss mine."
Lady Margaret died, as it might be, to-day;
Sweet William died on the morrow:
Lady Margaret died out of pure, pure love;
Sweet William died out of sorrow.
Lady Margaret was laid in the cold churchyard,
. . . .
Out of her breast there sprang a rose,
And out of sweet William's a brier.
1 Sung "Margret" throughout. Introductory verses forgotten, also a verse describing how Lady Margaret threw herself out of a window, and the last verse.
2. William