The Seven Brothers- Sprague (ME) 1927 Barry B
[Bronson 28 , from Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, British Ballads from Maine; 1929, pp. 37-39. Measure 8 is irregular and is poorly remembered.
R. Matteson Jr. 2014]
"The Seven Brothers" --Sung by Ernest Sprague, Milltown, New Brunswick, 1927; learned from his father. Melody recorded by George Herzog. (but IV is in variant) Bronson: The note-lengths have been doubled in the present copy. With this tune, cf. Motherwell's "Queen Eleanor's Confession," 1827, App'x No. 27 (Child 156).
1. "Rise up, rise up, you seven brothers bold,
. . .
Take care of your oldest sister dear,
For the youngest I will carry away."
2 He mounted on his milk-white steed,
She upon the grey,
With his bugle horn hung down by his side,
And this lord he went riding away.
3 As he rode on and she rode on,
An' it was by the light of the moon,
He looked over his right shoulder,
And there he saw them coming.
4. "Li' down[1], li' down, Lady Marguerite,
And hold my steed for me,
Until I go fight your seven brothers bold,
And your father is at hand."
5. She lighted down, not longer did she stay,
. . .
Until she saw her seven brothers fall
And her father she loved more dear.
6. "O, hold your hand, Lord William," she cries,
"Your wounds look wonderful sore,
For there is many a one I might have had,
But my father I can't have no more."
7. She takes her pocket handkerchief,
That was made of the hollan' fine,
And there she wiped her father's bleeding wounds,
That run more clear than wine.
8. He mounted on his milk-white steed,
"O will you go with me, Lady Marguerite,
Or will you stay with them?"
"How can I stay, Lord William?" she says,
"I will go along with thee."
9. As he rode on and she rode on,
It was by the light of the moon,
He rode till he came to the broad waterside
And so manfully laid down.
10. He takes a drink of the water warm,
"What's that shines in the main?"
"It's my scarlet grove I've just put on
That shines in the watery main."
11. He mounted on his milk-white steed,
And she was on the grey,
And his bugle horn hung down by his side,
And this lord he went riding away.
12. As he rode on and she rode on,
An' it was by the light of the moon,
He rode till he came to his own father's gate,
And so manfully laid down.
13. "Rise up, rise up, dear mother," he says,
"And let Lord William in;
For he has received his own death wound
And his lady he has won.
14. "Oh, make my bed so fine and soft,
Put soft pillows under my sheets,
And lay Lady Marguerite down by my side
That more softly I can sleep."
15. Lord William died in the middle of the night,
Lady Marguerite before it was day,
And I hope the next couple that does get wed
Will be sure to [get] married away.
1. light or alight