FAIR ANNIE



It's narrow, narrow make your bed

and learn to lie alone

For I'm going over the seas, Fair Annie,

a rich bride to bring home



With her, I'll get both gold and gear

With you I ne'er got nane

I took you as a waif woman

I'll leave you as the same



But who will bake my bridal bread

And who'll brew my bridal ale

And who will welcome my brisk bride

That I bring over the dale



It's I will bake your bridal bread

And I'll brew your bridal ale

And I will welcome your brisk bride

That you bring over the dale



But she who welcomes by brisk bride

Must go like maiden fair

And she must lace her middle so small

And braid her yellow hair



But how can I go maiden like

Since maiden I am nane

I have borne seven sons by thee

And am with child again



She took her youngest in her arms

The eldest by the hand

And she is off to the highest tower

To watch them come to land



Come up, come up, my eldest son

And look on yonder sea strand

And see your father's new come bride

Before she comes to land



Come down, come down, my mother dear

Come down from the castle wall

I fear if long you stay up there

You'll let your self down fall



So she's come down and farther down

Her love's fine ship to see

And the top mast and the main mast

They shone like silver free



.pa

And she's cone down and farther down

The bride ship to behold

And the top mast and the main mast

They shone like the burning gold



She took her seven sons by the hand

And O, she did not fail

She met Lord Thomas and his new come bride

As they came o'er the dale



You're welcome to your home lady

You're welcome to your hearth

You're welcome to your bower, lady

For all that's here is yours



I thank thee, Annie, I thank thee, Annie

So dearly, I thank thee

You're the likest to my sister, Annie

That ever I did see



There came a knight from over the sea

And stole my sister away

O shame on him and his company

In the land where e'er they stay



And aye she set the wide tables

With white bread and with wine

And aye she drank the warm waters

To hold her collar fine



And aye she set the long tables

With white bread and with brown

And aye she turned her round about

So fast the tears ran down



When bells were rung and mass was sung

And all were sent to bed

Lord Thomas and his new come bride

To bed chambers they were led



And she took her harp all in her hand

To harp these two to sleep

And aye she harped and aye she sang

Full sorely did she weep



If my seven sons were seven young rats

Running on yon castle wall

and if I were a cat myself

I soon should worry them all



If my seven sons were seven young hares

Running on yon lily lea

And I were a greyhound myself

Soon worried they should be



What ails thee, Annie, What ails thee, Annie

That you make such a moan

Has your wine barrel cast its girds

Or is your white bread gone



And who was your father Annie

And who was your mother?

And had you any sister, Annie

and had you any brother?



King Easter is my Father dear

Queen Easter is my mother

John Armstrong in the Western land

He is my eldest brother



If King Ester is your father dear

Then also is he mine

And it shall not be for want of gold

That you your love should twine



For I have seven ships of my own

All loaded to the brim

And I shall give them all to thee

And four to thy eldest son

And praise be to the powers in heaven

That I go a maiden home



Child #62

recorded by MacColl and Seeger on Blood Red Roses

@love @family

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