SUFFOLK MIRACLE

or SWEET WILLIAM'S GHOST (2)



It's of an old and wealthy man

He had a daughter and her name was Ann

She were handsome, fine and tall

She had a loving face withal



Sing lady, lady, lady fair

Many a suitor had she there

A widow's son of low degree

Among them all, she fancied he



Sing courting, courting, courting cane

There's many a courtship all in vain

For when her father came to know

He sent her far, oh far from home



One night as she were lying down

The quiet loosening of her gown

She heard a low and deathly sound

Says, "Loose my bounds, I'm earthly bound"



She looked out of her window clear

She seen her love on her father's mare

"Here's your mother's cloak, here's your father's roan

They sent me here, love, to bring you home"



He's mounted up, she's on behind

And they rode on with contented mind

But all along, complaint he made

"Oh love, oh love, my head do ache"



Her handkerchief from her neck around

She bound it round his head around

He set her down at her father's door

Then her true love she saw no more



"Awake, awake, awake," said she

"Is no one here for to welcome me?"

"You're welcome home, dear child," said he

"But what trusty friend did come for thee?"



"Did you not send one I do adore

That love so dear and must love no more?"

Her father frowned and shook his head

Says, "Your true love been one year dead"



He's summonsed clerk and clergy, too

That grave was opened and him to view

And though he had been a twelvemonth dead

Her handkerchief was bound round his head



So a warning to you old folks still

Don't hinder young ones from their will

The first they love they'll never forget

Though he be dead, she'll love him yet



Child #272

@courtship @ballad @death @love

recorded by Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl on Blood & Roses I

filename[ WILIGHO2

see also WILIGHOS

SF

===DOCUMENT BOUNDARY