Lyrics:
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"Mother, O Mother come riddle to me
Come riddle it all as one
Tell me whether to marry Fair Ellen
Or bring the Brown Girl home."
"The Brown Girl she has house and land
And Fair Ellender she has none,
Therefore I charge you with my blessing
To bring that Brown Girl home."
He got on his horse and he rode and he rode
He rode til he came to her door
There's no one so ready as Fair Ellen herself
To rise and bid him come in.
"What news have you brought unto me Lord Thomas?
What news have you brought unto me?"
"I've come to invite you to my wedding
A sorrowful wedding to be".
"Mother, O Mother should I go or stay?"
"Fair child, do as you please,
But I fear if you go you will never return
To see your dear mother any more".
She turned around all dressed in white,
Her susters dressed in green,
Every town that she rode through
Took her to be some queen.
She rode and she rode till she came to his door.
She pulled on the bell and it rung.
There's no one so ready as Lord Thomas himself
To rise and welcome her in.
Then taking her by the lily-white hand
And leading her through the hall
Said "Fifty gay ladies are here today
But here is the flower of all".
The Brown Girl she was a-standing by
With a knife ground keen and sharp.
Between the long ribs and the short
She pierced Fair Ellender's heart.
Lord Thomas he was a-standing by
With a knife ground keen and sharp.
Between the long ribs and the short
She pierced his own bride's heart.
Then placing the handle against the wall,
The point against his breast,
Said "This is the ending of three true lovers,
God send them all to rest"
"Father, O Father go dig my grave
And make it wide and deep,
And place Fair Ellender in my arms
And the Brown Girl at my feet".
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