Lord Thomas- J. Boone (NC) 1918 Sharp MS
[Full text from MS with music; Bronson, TTCB, No. 125; Sharp MSS., 4683/3260. Cf. Lord Thomas- Sung by Mrs. Sina Boone, Shoal Creek, Burnsville, N.C., September 28, 1918.
The two Boone's must be kin, Sharp makes no mention. The "roll us down" text in the opening is similar to the two versions collected by Rawn in Georgia and sent to Campbell- which are included as Sharp B and J.
R. Matteson 2014]
Lord Thomas and Fair Ellender- Sung by Mrs. Julie Boone, Micaville, Yancey County, N.C., September 25, 1918.
1. O mother, O mother, come roll us down,
Come roll us all as one,
Whether I shall marry fair Ellen or nor,
Or bring the brown girl home.
2. The brown girl she has house and land,
Fair Ellender she has none.
The greatest advise to you, young man,
Go bring the brown girl home.
3. He rode up to fair Ellender's gate,
He knocked so clear it rang;
But who was there but fair Ellen herself
For to rise and let him come in.
4. Lord Thomas, Lord Thomas, what's the news?
What news have you, I pray?
I've come for to ask you to my wedding,
And it's all for the news to you.
5. I asked my mother what shall I do,
Go to Lord Thomas's wedding or stay at home.
If I knew my death coffin was setting in the door,
To Lord Thomas's wedding I'd go.
6. He rode up to the brown girl's gate,
He knocked so clear it rang;
But who was there but the brown girl herself
For to rise and let him come in.
7 Lord Thomas, Lord Thomas, what's the news?
What news have you I pray?
I've come to ask you to my wedding,
And it's all for the news to you.
8 I asked my mother what shall I do,
Go to Lord Thomas's wedding or stay and tarry at home.
If I knew my death coffin was setting in the door
To Lord Thomas's wedding I'd go.
9. He took her by the lily-white hand,
He led her through the land,
He set her down by his own bride's side
Alcase (sic) the ladies all.[1]
10. Lord Thomas, Lord Thomas, are you blind,
Or can't you never see?
You once could have married as fair a
As ever the sun shined on.
11. The brown girl having a knife in her hand
Which were both keen and sharp,
Between the long ribs and the short
She pierced fair Ellender's heart.
12. Lord Thomas having his sword by his side,
It was both keen and sharp,
He cut the brown girl's head clean off
And gave (clave) her body apart.
13. Lord Thomas having his sword by his side,
It was both keen and sharp,
He turned the handle towards the sun,
The point towards his heart.
14. Lord Thomas, Lord Thomas, are you blind,
Or can't you n€ever see,
Or don't you see your own heart's blood
Come trinkling to your knee.
15. I bury the brown girl at my feet,
Fair Ellender at my side.
If we all had lived to see that day,
Fair Ellen had been my bride.
1. Across