Lord Thomas- unknown singer (AL-SC-VA) c1936 Garwick/Seeger
[From 1962 by Folkways Records recording Old-Time Country Music by Mike Seeger. From the recording collection of Walter Garwick as sung by an unknown singer. Probably recorded in Alabama, South Carolina, or Virginia, by Walter Garwick in 1935-37.
R. Matteson 2014]
Lord Thomas- From unknown singer in Garwick Collection; KL 56 bl. Sung by Mike Seeger.
Come father, come father come riddle to me
Come riddle it all in one
And tell me whether to marry fair Ellen
Or bring the Brown girl home.
The Brown girl she has house and land
Fair Ellender she has none
And there I charge you with the blessing
To bring the Brown girl home.
He got on his horse and he rode and he rode
He rode 'til he came to the home
And no one so ready as Fair Ellen herself
To rise and bid him in.
What news have you brought unto me Lord Thomas?
What news have you brought unto me?
I've come to ask you to my wedding
A sorrowful wedding to be.
Oh mother, oh mother would you go or stay
Fair child, do as you please
I'm afraid if you go you'll never return
To see your mother any more.
She turned around and dressed in white
Her sisters dressed in green
And every town that they strode through
They taken her to be some queen.
They rode and they rode 'til they came to the hall
She pulled at the bell and it rang
And no one so ready as Lord Thomas himself
To rise and welcome her in.
He taken her by her lily white hand
When leading her through the hall
Saying fifty gay ladies are here today
But here is the flower of all.
The Brown girl she was standing by
With knife ground keen and sharp
Between the long ribs and the short
She pierced fair Ellender's heart.
Lord Thomas he was standing by
With knife ground keen and sharp
Between the long ribs and the short
He pierced his own bride's heart.
By placing the handle against the wall
The point against his breast
Saying this is the ending of three true lovers
God sends us all to rest.
Oh father, oh father go dig my grave
Go dig it wide and deep
And place fair Ellender in my arms
And the Brown girl at my feet.