Digital Tradition Mirror

Locks and Bolts

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Locks and Bolts

I dreamed of my true love last night
All in my arms I had her,
But when I woke it was a dream.
I was forced to lay without her.

Her yellow hair, like strands of gold
Come rolling down my pillow.
Her yellow hair, like strands of gold
Come rolling down my pillow.

I went unto her uncle's house
Enquiring for my darling.
The answer was, "She is not here
I've no such in my keeping."

Her voice came from the roof above
Came straightway to the window;
"Oh love Oh love, Oh I'd be yours
But locks and bolts doth hinder."

Oh passion flew, my sword I drew
All in that room I entered;
Oh passion flew, my sword I drew
All in that room I entered;

I took my sword in my right hand
And my love all in the other,
Come all young men that love like me
Fight on and take another.

Her uncle and three other men
Straightway after me did follow,
Saying, "Leave this room, you villain, you
Or in your heart's blood you will wallow."

note: If you don't mind mixing and matching versions, you can
     make a bit more sense by dropping the next-to-last verse and
     adding:

     The blood was shed from every side
     Till I got her from among them,
     And all young men that want such wives
     Should fight till you overcome them.

from Sharp, English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians.
Collected from Mrs. Hester House, 1916 (added verse also from
Sharp
DT #328
Laws M13
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!