Proud Lamkin- McCabe (NL) 1929 Karpeles A
[From Lambkin: A Study in Evolution by Anne G. Gilchrist;Journal of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Dec., 1932), pp. 1-17. Also in folk Songs from Newfoundland, 1934 version A. Bronson 22.
This is given as an example the Northumbrian or English version, form 2 in Gilchrist's article- it lacks the opening stanza about the mason (see Child A) found in the Scottish versions.
R. Matteson 2015]
A. PROUD LAMKIN- Noted by MAUD KARPELES. sung by Mrs. Violet McCabe, Conception Bay, Newfoundland, October 19, 1929
1. Said the lord to his lady
As he was going away:
"Beware of proud Lamkin,
For he comes up this way."
2. "What do I care for proud Lamkin
Or any of his men?-
When my doors are well bolted
And my windows shut in."
3 He was scarce gone one hour
When proud Lamkin came by,
He knocked at the hall door
And the nurse let him in.
4. "O where is your master?
Is he not without?"
"He's gone to old England,"
Cried the false nurse.
5 "O where is your mistress?
Is she not within?"
"She's up in her bed-chamber
With the windows barred in."
6 "How am I to get at her?"
Proud Lamkin did cry.
"O here is young Sir Johnson,
Pierce him and he'll cry."
7 He took out his bodkin
And pierced young Sir Johnson,
And made the blood trinkle
Right down to his toes.
8 "O mistress, dear mistress,
How can you sleep so fast?
Can't you hear your young Sir Johnson
A-crying his last?
9 I can't pacify him
On the nurse-milk or pap.
I pray you come down,
Quieten him on your lap."
10 "How can I come downstairs
On such a cold winter's night?
No spark of fire burning,
No candle alight."
11. You've got two white holland sheets
As white as the snow, [up there]
I pray you come down
By the light of them so."
12 As she was coming downstairs,
Not thinking much harm,
Proud Lamkin awaited,
Took her by the arm.
13 "I have got you, I have got you,"
Proud Lamkin did cry,
"For years I have waited,
But I have got you at last."
14 "O spare me my life," she cries,
"For one, two o'clock,
And I'll give you all the money
That you will carry on your back."
15 "If you'll give me the money
Like the sand on the shore, [? of the sea]
I'll not keep my bright sword
From your white skin so free."
16 "O spare me my life," she cries,
"For one half-an-hour;
I'll give you my nurse,
Although she's my flower."
17 "O where is your nurse?
Go send her to me;
She can hold the silver basin
While your heart's blood runs free."
18. "False nurse was my friend," she cries
But-now she's my foe;
She can hold the silver basin
While- my heart's blood do flow."
19 There was blood in the nursery,
And blood in the hall,
And blood on the stairs,
And her heart's blood was all.
20 Proud Lamkin was taken
To the gallows to die,
And false nurse she was burned
In a fire near by.