Lord Banner- Bailey (ME) 1927 Barry B
[From Barry Eckstorm, Smythe; British Ballads from Maine, 1929. Extensive notes which I assume are mainly from Barry may be found US and Canada versions page.
R. Matteson 2015]
LITTLE MUSGRAVE AND LADY BARNARD
(Child 81)
B. "Lord Banner." written down, September, 1927 by Mrs Myrtle Bailey of Monticello, as learned from her mother, Mrs. Oliver K. Joyce of Gott Island, of Mount Desert. Melody recorded by Mr. George Herzog.
1 Four and twenty ladies
Were playing at a ball,
Lord Banner's wife a-being there,
The fairest of them all.
2 Young McGrover of old Scotland,
As fair as the setting sun,
She looked at him, he blushed at her,
The likes were never known.
3 "Oh, won't you go home with me?" said she.
"I dare not for my life.
For I see by the rings on your fingers
That you are Lord Banner's wife."
4 "What if I am Lord Banner's wife?
Lord Banner is not at home,
He has gone to redemption
To fetch young Henry his throne."
5 One of his pages being there,
Hearing all that was said and done,
He swore Lord Banner should hear of it
Before the setting sun.
["He goes and finds Lord Banner"]
6. "O, is there any of my houses down,
Or yet my castles three,
Or has there anything happen-ed
Unto my fair ladye?"
7. "Oh, no, there's none of your houses down,
Nor yet your castles three,
But young McGrover of old Scotland
Is in bed with your fair ladye."
8. "How do you like my blankets fine,
How do you like my sheets,
How do you like my fair ladye
That lies in your arms asleep?"
9. "Quite well I like your blankets,
Quite well I like your sheets,
But better by far is your fair ladye
That lies in my arms asleep."
10. "Arise, arise, put on your clothes,
As quick as ever you can,
For I won't have it said in old Scotland
That I fought with a naked man."
11. "Arise, arise, I dare not do,
I dare not for my life,
For by your side you have two broadswords
And I've not a single knife."
12. "Yes, by my side I have two broadswords
That cost me deep in purse,
And you may choose the very best
And I will take the worst."
13. "And you may strike the very first blow
And strike it like a man,
And I will strike the second blow
And kill you, if I can."
14. McGrover he struck the very first blow
And wounded Lord Banner full sore,
Lord Banner he struck the second blow
And left him in his gore.
15. Then turning to his fair lady
He gave her kisses three,
Saying, "Which of us do you like the best,
Young McGrover or me?"
16. "Quite well I like your ruby lips,
Quite well I like your chin,
But young McGrover is better far
Than you or any of your kin."
17. And taking her by her curly locks
He split her head in twain,
There she lay bleeding at his feet,
Never to rise again.
18. "Go, dig my grave, go, dig my grave,
And dig it long: wide and deep,
And by my side place my fair lady,
McGrover at my feet."
19 Then laying his sword against his side,
With the hilt upon the floor,
Saying, "There never were two lovers
So easily slain before."