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Lord Banner Four and twenty ladies, They being at a ball, Lord Banner's wife, she being there Was fairest of them all. And Young LaGrove from Scotland As fair as the rising sun. He looked at her, she looked at him, And then their love begun. "Oh, won't you take a ride," said she, "Oh, won't you take a ride! And you shall have servants to wait on you And a fair lady by your side." "No, no, I'll not take a ride," said he, "Not on my very life For the ring that you wear on your finger now Makes you Lord Banner's wife." "Well, what if I am Lord Banner's wife! Lord Banner is not at home, He has gone to the London Convention for To seat King George on his throne." Lord Banner's valet hearing this And seeing all that was done, He swore that his master should hear of this Before the next rising sun. Lord Banner's valet knowing this, He took to his heels and ran; He ran till he came to the water's edge Then he breasted the stream and swam. And when he came to the castle walls, How fiercely the bells did ring; There was no one so eager as Lord Banner To arise and let him in. Saying, "Are any of my castles over Or any of my towers down Or has my fair lady been taken ill Since I have left the town? " "There are none of your castles over I swear it by my life But Young LaGrove from Scotland Is making love to your wife." "If this be a lie that you tell to me As I suppose it to be, I will erect a gallows high And hanged you shall be." "If this be a lie that I tell to you, As you suppose it to be, You need not erect a gallows high But may hang me to a tree." Lord Banner then called up his martial men He called them one, two and three, Saying, "Come we'll ride over to Scotland This happy couple to see." "Oh, what is that! Oh, what is that! It fills my soul with fear, I fear' tis Lord Banner's bugle call. I fear he is drawing near." "Lie down, lie down and keep me warm And keep me from the cold. 'Tis only Lord Banner's shepherd boy Calling his sheep to fold." They huddled and they cuddled And they soon fell fast asleep And when they awoke in the morning Lord Banner stood at their feet, Saying, "How do you like my blankets fine And how do you like my sheets And how do you like my fair young bride Who lies in your arms asleep! " "Very well do I like your blankets fine And well do I like your sheets But better by far your lady fair Who lies in my arms asleep." Get up, get up and put on your clothes As fast as ever you can For it ne'er shall be said in old Scotland That I fought with a naked man." "No, I will not get up and put on my clothes As fast as ever I can For you have two broadswords by your side While I have my naked hands." ' "What if I have got two broadswords. They are each with pearl inlaid And you may have your choice of these For each is a trusty blade." "And you may strike the very first blow But strike it like a man And I will strike the second blow And I'll kill you if I can." LaGrove he struck the very first blow And he wounded Lord Banner full sore. Lord Banner struck the second blow And he laid him in his gore. He took his fair lady by the hand And he gave her kisses three Saying, "Why do you love this young LaGrove So much better than you do me! " "Very well do I like your ruby lips Very well do I like your chin But better I love this young LaGrove Than you or any of your kin." He took her by her long yellow hair And he cleft her head in twain. Lady Banner fell upon her knees Never to rise again. "Go dig my grave," Lord Banner cried, And dig it broad and deep And lay my fair lady by my side And Young LaGrove at our feet. " Lord Banner then fell upon his sword After giving his love one last kiss. Have you ever heard of three lovers dying So tragic a death as this! Child #81 From The New Green Mountain Songster, Flanders et al. Collected from Mrs Phyllis MacDonald Burditt, VT ca. 1933 RG
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!
