The Brown Girl- McDonald (Arkansas) 1958 Hunter
[From the Max Hunter Folk Song Collection on-line. I've changes some spelling.
R. Matteson 2012]
The Brown Girl- As sung by Mrs. Laura McDonald, Springdale, Arkansas on July 23, 1958
Listen: http://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/songinformation.aspx?ID=0208
VERSE 1
Come riddle to me, dear Mother
Come say to me your mind
Whether I should marry Fair Ellendor
Or bring the brown girl home
VERSE 2
Th brown girl, she has house and land
Fair Ellendor, she has none
Before I charge you with my blessing
Go bring the brown girl home
VERSE 3
He dressed himself all over in black
His waiting man all in green
And every town as he went thru
He was taken to be some king
VERSE 4
He rode till he came to Fair Ellendor's place
Rightly proudly at the ring
None were so ready as Fair Ellen, herself
To arise and let him in
VERSE 5
What news, what news, Lord Thomas, she said,
What news have you brought to me
I've come to ask you to my wedding
It's very good news, said he
VERSE 6
Bad news, bad news, Lord Thomas, she said,
Bad news you've brought to me
Cause, I been in hopes of being your bride
And you bridegroom to me
VERSE 7
Come riddle to me, dear Mother
Come say to me your mind
Whether I shall go t' Lord Thomas's wedding
Or whether I'll stay at home
VERSE 8
My daughter, you know you have friends, she said,
You know that you have foes
Before I charge you, my own dear daughter
You'd better stay at home
VERSE 9
I do not care for my friends, she said
I do not care for my foes
Betide my life, betide my death
Lord Thomas's wedding I'll go
VERSE 10
She dressed herself all over in white
Her waiting maid all in green
An' every town that she rode through
She was taken to be some queen.
VERSE 11
She rode till she came to Lord Thomas's house
Rightly proudly at the ring
None were so ready as Lord Thomas, himself
To arise and let her in
VERSE 12
He took her by her lily white hand
And led her all thru the hall
And there he placed a golden chair
Among the ladies all
VERSE 13
Lord Thomas, Lord Thomas, is this your bride
She looks most wonderful brown
When you once could'a married as fair a lady
As ever the sun shone on
VERSE 14
Th brown girl having a little pen knife
It being both keen and sharp
Between the long and down the short
She pierced Fair Ellendor's heart
VERSE 15
Whats'a matter, whats'a matter, Lord Thomas did say
You look most wonderful pale?
When you once did bare as fair a color
As ever the sun shone on.
VERSE 16
Lord Thomas, Lord Thomas, are you blind
Or can't you very well see
I think I feel my own hearts blood
Come tricklin' down my knee
VERSE 17
Lord Thomas having a glittering sword
It being both keen and tall
And he cut off his own brides head
And slammed it against the wall
VERSE 18
He placed the hinge all on the floor
The point toward his breast
Saying, here's three true loves goin' to fall
Lord, send their soul to rest