The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #137810   Message #3153057
Posted By: GUEST,Sarah W.
12-May-11 - 08:20 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Fair Ellen (from Ewan MacColl)
Subject: Lyr Req: Fair Ellen - Ewan MacColl
Has anybody written out the lyrics for Ewan MacColl's version of "Fair Ellen"?

I've tried for ages to get it figured out, but it's just too Scottish for me to understand! I have that big collection of Child Ballad lyrics, but there's not a version quite like the one he sings, there are some special lines and an interesting melody.

Ye canna gang with me Fair Ellen, unless you do this deed.
Unless you saddle me my horse and bridle me my steed...


Lie still lie still my bonnie bairn, ye work your mother woe
your father's high upon horseback and he rides out fast awa'
Your father's high upon horseback and we're low on the ground
your father's high upon horseback and cares nae whether we sink or swim...

Sometimes her color waxed red and other sometimes wan
She was always like a woman wi' bairn but no way like a man...

His mother was a stubborn woman she gaed both out an in
You might have brought a lighter horse boy than a woman in travellin'
Oh hold your tongue my mother dear, let all your folly be
Dear has this lady bought my love but now she's get it free.