Lord Thomas- Floyd (SC) 1937 John A. Lomax Recording
[Minnie Floyd was recorded again by Alan Lomax in his 1939 southern recording trip, although her version of Lord Thomas was not recorded. The text with music are given by Joyner in 1971 in his Folk Song of South Carolina.
R. Matteson 2012, 2014]
Lord Thomas- As sung by Minnie Floyd, Murrells Inlet, July 12, 1937. Recorded by John A. Lomax. Library of congress. Transcribed by C. W. J.
Come father come mother come riddle my riddle
Come riddle it all as one
Must I bring the Brown Girl or Fair Ellen
Or bring the Brown Girl home
The Brown Girl she has house and land
Fair Ellender she has none
I would advise you as a good mother
To bring the Brown Girl home
He dressed himself in mancerine ( ? )
The finest to be seen
And every city that he rode through
They took him to be some king
He rode till he came to Fair Ellender's door
He knocked so loud and strong
There was no one so ready to let him in
Fair Ellen come out herself
What news what news Lord Thomas she said
Are you bringing some news to me
I come to ask you to my wedding
Tomorrow it's to be.
Come father come mother come riddle my riddle,
Come riddle it all as one
Must I go to Lord Thomas's wedding
Or must I stay at home
I know that many will be your friends
And many will be your foes
I would advise you as a good mother
To stay at home with me
I know that many will be my friends
And many will be my foes
What care I for friends or foes
To Lord Thomas's wedding I'll go
She dressed herself in scarlet red
The finest to be seen
And every city that she rode through
They took her to be some queen
She rode till she came to Lord Thomas's door
She knocked so loud it rung
There was no one so ready to let her in
Lord Thomas come out himself
He took her by the lily-white hand
And led her through the hall
He set her down by his own sweet bride
At the head of the fair maids all
Is this your bride Lord Thomas she said
She looks so wonderful brown
You never had a fairer lady
As ever the sun shines on.
This is my bride Lord Thomas said
This bride belongs to me
I love the end of your little finger
Better than her whole body
The Brown Girl had a little pen-knife
She whetted it keen and sharp
And this sharp knife she pierced Fair Ellen
And pierced her to her heart
What's the matter Fair Ellen he said
What makes you look so pale
You used to have that fresh a color
As ever the sun shines on
Are you deaf or are you dumb
Or can't you see to me
I think I feel my own heart's blood
Come trickling to my knee
He took the Brown girl by the hand
And led her through the hall
He pulled off his sword and cut her head off
And kicked it against the wall.
Go dig my grave Lord Thomas said
Dig it both wide and deep
Bury Fair Ellender in my arms
And the Brown girl at my feet
Bury Fair Ellender in my arms
And the Brown Girl at my feet.