Lord Thomas- Wilson (WV) 1975 Gainer
[From Folk Songs from the West Virginia Hills. Although the ballad is found in West Virginia the odds of this being traditional is slim. It's likely a balald recreation by Gainer, whose notes follow.
R. Matteson 2014]
LORD THOMAS AND FAIR ELLENDER
(CHILD 73, "LORD THOMAS AND FAIR ANNET")
This is one of the 'old-world' ballads most frequently found in West Virginia tradition. we have found, numerous variations of the title, the best known being "Lord Thomas and Fair Ellender." However, there are no significant variations in the story. The phrase "brown girl" indicates that the girl had' brown hair. The Germanic tradition favored blonde girls as being truly fair. Sung by Aunt Mary Wilson.
1. Lord Thomas he was a fine young man,
He kept the king's high hall,
Fair Ellender was the fairest one
Among her merry maids all.
2 "O Mother, O Mother, come riddle us all,
Come riddle us all in one,
And say shall I marry fair Ellender,
Or bring the brown girl home?"
3 "The brown girl has a house and lot,
Fair Ellender she has none;
My dearest son, take my advice,
And bring the brown girl home."
4 "O Father, O Father, come riddle us all,
Come riddle us all in one,
And say shall I marry fair Ellender,
Or bring the brown girl home?"
"The brown girl has both oxen and cows,
Fair Ellender she has none;
My own dear son, take my advice,
And bring the brown girl home."
6 Lord Thomas he mounted his milk-white steed,
And rode to Fair Ellender's hall;
No one was so ready as Fair Ellender,
To arise and bid him walk in.
7 "What news, what news, Lord Thomas?" she said,
"What news have you brought to me?"
"I've come to ask you to my wedding."
"That's very bad news," said she.
8 "Come, Father and Mother, I'll ask you both,
I'll ask you both as one,
Whether shall I go to Lord Thomas, wedding,
Or tarry with thee at home?"
9 "There may be many of your friends,
And many of your foes,
And if you'll take warning from such good friends,
You'll tarry with me at home."
10 "There may be many of my friends,
And many of foes,
But for them all I shall not care,
To Lord Thomas' wedding I'll go."
11 She dressed herself in scarlet red,
Her maids were dressed in green,
And every town that she rode through
They took her to be some queen.
12 She rode till she came to Lord Thomas' hall,
She loudly called to him.
No one was so ready as Lord Thomas himself
To arise and bid her walk in.
13 He took her by the lily-white hand,
And led her through the hall,
And set her down at the head of the table
Among his ladies all.
14 "Is this your bride, Lord Thomas?" she said'
"I think she is wondrous brown;
When you could have married as fair a lady
As ever came into this town'"
15 "Throw none of your slurs," Lord Thomas said,
"Throw none of Your slurs at me;
Much better do I love your little finger
Than the brown girl's whole body."
16 The brown girl had a little pen-knife,
It was both keen and sharp;
Between the long ribs and the short
She pierced Fair Ellender's heart.
17 "O what is the matter?" Lord Thomas said,
"What makes You look so pale?
You once did wear as fresh a color
As anyone in your day."
18 "O are you blind, Lord Thomas?" she said,
"Or can't you very well see?
O can't you see my own heart's blood
Come trickling to my knee?"
19 He took the brown girl by the hand,
And led her into the hall,
And with his sword cut off her head
And kicked it against the wall.
20 Then placing the handle against the wall,
The point against his breast,
Saying, "Here lie the bodies of three young lovers,
Lord send their souls to rest.
2I "Go dig my grave in the roses sweet,
Go dig it both wide and deep,
And lay Fair Ellender by my side,
And the brown girl at my feet."