Cat. #1399 (MFH #364) - As sung by Fran Majors, Wichita, Kansas on
VERSE 1
Lady Margret was in her chamber room
A combing out her long yellow hair
But who should she spy but sweet William an' his bride
A going to th church together
VERSE 2
She laid up --- her ivory comb
An' put back her long yellow hair
An' then she left her chamber room
To never return any more
VERSE 3
It was about the evenin', of th night
When th people, they were all asleep
When she appeared in Sir William's room
And said somethin' at his feet
VERSE 4
God bless you William and your pretty brown bride
How sweetly you do sleep
While I am going to my grassy green grave
All wrapped in a winding sheet
VERSE 5
Next morning Sir William arose
A telling of his dream
He dreamed that his room was full of white swans
And his wife in a gore of blood
VERSE 6
He went to Margret's chamber room
An' he knocked, an' he knocked at th door
And who was so willing to let him in
But Lady Margret's brother
VERSE 7
Is Margret in her chamber room
Or is she in her hall
Or is she in her long, long room
Amongst th gay ladies all
VERSE 8
She is not in her chamber room
Neither is she in her hall
But she is in her long, long room
With her pale face against th wall
VERSE 9
Take down, take down those milk white sheets
That 'er pale face I may see
An' I'll make a vow and I'll vow to th Lord
I'll never kiss another, after she
VERSE 10
He kissed her own her lily white hand
He kissed her own her chin
He kissed her own her cold clay lips
Till th breath went out'a him
VERSE 11
So, Margret was buried in the old churchyard
An' Sir William by her side
And out of her breast grew a red, red rose
And out of his a brier
VERSE 12
They grew an' they grew to th castle tall
Till they could get no higher
And they linked an' they twined in a true love knot
An' th rose grew 'round th brier