The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #2761   Message #13199
Posted By: Nonie Rider
25-Sep-97 - 05:23 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Les Trois Hommes Noirs (Barde)
Subject: RE: Barde:
I'd assume "noir" to mean "black-haired," though maybe with overtones of evil.

Before serious immigration of dark-skinned folks into Western Europe, "black" was usually a hair description, just as you might say "blond" rather than "blond-haired." Black Bess, Black Irish, and so on.