Lady Margaret- Simmons (Newfoundland) 1930; Greenleaf
[From Ballads And Sea Songs Of Newfoundland by Greenleaf and Mansfield; 1933.
R. Matteson 2012, 2015]
Lady Margaret- Communicated by Mrs. Maude Roberts Simmonds, Glenburnie, Bonne Bay, 1930.
1 Lady Margaret was sitting in her low bower chamber
When she heard a dismal sound,
"Is it the voice of my father Thomas?" she cried,
"Or is it my brother John?
Or is it my true love Sweet William
From Scotland home he has come?"
2 "It is not your father Thomas," he cried,
"And it is not your brother John,
But it is your true love Sweet William
From Scotland he has come."
3. "Have you brought to me any jewelry, my love?
Have you brought to me any ring?
Have you brought to me any token at all
That a true love ought to bring?"
4 "I have brought to you no jewelry, my love;
I have brought to you no ring;
I have brought to you my white winding sheet
What my fair body do lie in."
5 He took her by the apron string,
Saying, "Follow, follow me."
And it's over the hills in a fine summer's night
In a dead man's company.
6 He walked till he came to the low churchyard,
Where the grass grow tall and green.
"Lady Margaret," he says," this is the place
Where my fair body do dwell in."
7 "Have you any room at your bed head?" she cried,
"Have you any room at your feet?
Have you any room at your right side
That I may lie down and sleep?"
8 "My father is at my bed head," he said,
"My mother is at my feet;
There is three hell-hounds around my right side,
Watching my poor soul to keep.
9 "One is for my drunk'ness," he said,
"The other is for my pride,
The other is for deluding of a fair pretty maid,
Tot making her for my bride."
10 He took her by the lily-white hand
And he pressed her to his breast,
"Good night, good night, Lady Margaret," he said,
"And the great God grant you rest."
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We also heard a few fragments which might be part of this ballad (see p. 76, below):
"This very night I will lie with you
Although you're so many miles away."
"I'm come from my watery grave."
"Is there any room at your feet for me?"