The Seven Brethren- Langille (NS) 1919 Mackenzie
[From The Quest of the Ballad by William Roy Mackenzie - 1919; also found in Ballads and Sea Songs from Nova Scotia by
William Roy Mackenzie - 1928;
R. Matteson 2014]
The Seven Brethren- Robert Langille, Tatamagouche, NS c. 1919
Arise, arise, ye seven brethren,
And put on your armours bright.
Arise and take care of your younger sister,
For your eldest went away last night.
'Twas on the road, 'twas away they rode,
'Twas all by the light of the moon,
Until he looked over his left shoulder
And saw her seven brethren drawing nigh.
"Lie down, lie down, Lady Margret," he said,
"And by my two steeds stand,
Until I fight thy seven brethren,
And thy father, who's nigh at hand."
She stood and saw her seven brethren fall,
Without shedding a tear,
Until she saw her father fall
Whom she loved so dear,
"Withhold thy hand, Lord William," she said,
"For thy stroke it is wonderful sore.
For it's many's the true love I might have had,
But a father I'll never have more."
She took her white pocket-handkerchief,
That was made of the hollands fine,
And wiped her father's bloody bloody wound
That run redder than the wine.
"Choose ye, choose ye, Lady Margret," he said,
"Will you here abide?"
"O no, I must go wheresoever you go,
For you've left me here no guide."
He mounted her on his milky white steed,
And he on his dappled gray.
The bugle horn hung by his side,
And slowly they rode away.
'Twas on the road, 'twas away they rode,
'Twas all by the light of the moon,
Until they came to the Erint waters,
That was raging like the main.
He lighted down to take a drink
Of the spring that run so clear,
And down the stream run his good heart's blood,
Sore she begun to fear.
"Lie down, lie down, Lord William," she said,
"For you are a slain man."
"O no, it is your scarlet red cloak
That's reflecting on the main."
'Twas on the road, 'twas away they rode,
'Twas all by the light of the moon,
Until they came to his mother's chamber door,
And there they lighted down.
"Arise, arise, dear mother," he says,
"Arise and let us in,
For by all the powers that is above
This night my love I've won."
"O mother, mother, make us a bed,
And sheathe it with the hollands fine,
And lay Lady Margret by my side
And sound sound sleep we'll take."
Lord William he died at the middle of the night,
Lady Margret ere it was day,
And every true lovers that goes together
I wish them more luck than they.