Fair Ellender

Father, oh father, come riddle to me
 Come riddle it all as one
 And tell me whether to marry fair Ellen
 Or bring the brown girl home
 The brown girl she has house and land
 Fair Ellender she has none
 And there I charge you with the blessing
 To bring the brown girl home
 He got on his horse and he rode and he rode
 He rode 'til he came to her home
 And no one as ready as fair Ellen herself
 To rise and bid him in
 What news have you brought unto me, Lord Thomas?
 What news have you brought unto me?
 I've come to invite you to my wedding
 A sorrowful wedding to be
 Mother, oh mother, would you go or stay?
 Fair child do as you please
 I'm afraid if you go, you'll never return
 To see your dear mother any more
 She turned around all dressed in white
 Her sisters dressed in green
 And every town that she rode through
 Took her to be some queen
 They rode and they rode 'til they came to the hall
 She pulled on the bell and it rang
 And no one se ready as Lord Thomas himself
 To rise and welcome her in
 He taking her by her lily white hand
 And leading her through the hall
 Saying, "Fifty gay ladies are here today
 "But here is the flower of all"
 The brown girl she was standing by
 With knife ground keen and sharp
 Between the long ribs and the short
 She pierced fair Ellender's heart
 Lord Thomas he was standing by
 With knife ground keen and sharp
 Between the long ribs and the short
 He pierced his own bride's heart
 By placing the handle against the wall
 The point against his breast
 Saying, "This is the end of three true lovers
 "God send us all to rest"
 Father, oh father, go dig my grave
 Go dig it wide and deep
 And place fair Ellender in my arms
 The brown girl at my feet