SWEET WILLIAM'S GHOST



There came a ghost to Margaret's door

With many a grievous groan

And aye he twirled at the pin

But answer made she none



Is that my father, Philip?

Or is it my brother, John?

Or is it my true love, Willie

From Scotland, new come home?



Tis not thy father, Philip

Nor yet thy brother, John

But tis thy true love, Willie

From Scotland, new come home



Oh, sweet Margret, oh, dear Margret

I pray thee speak to me

Give me my faith and troth, Margret

As I gave it to thee



Thy faith and troth thou's never get

Nor yet will I thee lend

Till that thou come within my bower

And kiss my cheek and chin



If I should come within thy bower

I am no earthly man

And should I kiss thy earthly lips

Thy days would not be lang



Oh, sweet Margret, oh, dear Margret

I pray thee speak to me

Give me my faith and troth, Margret

As I gave it to thee



Thy faith and troth thou's never get

Nor yet will I thee lend

Till you take me to yon kirk

And wed me with a ring



My bones are buried in yon kirkyard

Afar beyond the sea

And it is but my spirit, Margret

That's now speaking to thee



She stretched out her lily white hand

And for to do her best

Here, there's your faith and troth, Willie

God send your soul good rest

.pa



Now, she has kilted her robes of green

A piece below her knee

And all the live long winter night

The dead corpse followed she



Is there any room at your head, Willie

Or any room at your feet

Or any room at your side, Willie

Wherein that I may creep?



There's no room at my head, Margret

There's no room at my feet

There's no room at my side, Margret

My coffin's made so neat



Then up and crew the red, red cock

And up then crew the gray

Tis time, tis time, my dear Margret

That you were going away



No more the ghost to Margret said

But with a grievous groan

He vanished in a cloud of mist

And left her all alone



Oh stay, my only true love, stay

The constant Margret cried

Wan grew her cheeks, she closed her eyes

Stretched her soft limbs, and died



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Child #77

@ghost @love @ballad

collected by Child and Percy

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