Lord Thomas & Fair Ellen- Gibson (VA) 1936 Scarborough B
[From: A Song Catcher in the Southern Mountains; Scarborough 1937. Her notes follow. H. B. Shifflet contributed ballads to other collectors.
R. Matteson 2014]
Mrs. Addie Gibson, of Roach's Run, gave me a ballet of the song as she knew it, that had been written down by H. B. Shiflett, the paper said. The second line is obviously misquoted, but I give the whole as I found it.
Lord Thomas & Fair Ellen- Gibson (VA) 1936 Scarborough B
Fair Ellen, Fair Ellen was a beautiful damsel,[1]
She was the captain of the hall.
Lord Thomas, Lord Thomas
Lord Thomas he loves them all.
Mother, oh, mother, which must I take,
Fair Ellen or the brown-skin girl?
If I have to advise you with all my heart,
Go bring the brown girl home.
The brown-skin girl has house and lands
Fair Ellen she has none.
If I has got to advise you with all my heart
Go bring the brown girl home.
Lord Thomas he mounted his milk-white steed
Called for his saddle and bridle to ride,
I am going to invite Fair Ellen
unto my wedding, unto my wedding day.
He rode till he came to fair Ellen's hall
He gingle[2] on the ring.
There was none so ready but fair Ellen herself
To rise and welcome him in.
Bad news, bad news, bad news to you,
And is it bad news to you.
I have come to invite you unto my wedding
Unto my wedding day.
She dressed herself in scarlet red,
Called for her milk-white steed to ride,
I am going to Lord Thomas wedding,
unto his wedding day.
She rode until she came to Lord Thomas hall,
She gingle on the ring.
There was none so ready as lord Thomas himself
To rise and welcome her in.
He took her by her lily- white hand
He led her through the hall.
He set her down at the head of the table
Amongst the gentlewomen and all.
Lord Thomas, lord Thomas, is this your bride?
She is wonderful brown.
You once could marry this fine lady
As ever the sun shine on.
The brown skin girl had a little pen knife
It being both long and kene,[3]
Pierce it through fair Ellen's heart
until the blood it flew.
Lord Thomas he having a sword in his hand
It being both long and broad,
He clip off his own bride's head
and kicked it against the wall.
Lord Thomas he putting the sword to the
bottom of the floor
The point towards his breast,
Did you ever see three lovers meet
As quick as we three did Part?
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1. This forgotten stanza should appear resembling:
Lord Thomas, Lord Thomas was a bold forrester
He was the captain of the hall.
Fair Ellen, Fair Ellen was a beautiful damsel,
Lord Thomas loves most of all.
2. jingle
3. keen