Here you go, Richie. Exactly as in Deacon's book, except that I've changed his irritating ampersands for 'and's.


Child 11, from John Clare

As three maidens played at ball
Aye & the lily aye
There came three knights among them all
And the roseys sweet in mary

The first gay knight was cloathed in green (white)
And he asked one maid to be his queen

The next good knight was cloathed in white
And he asked the maid to be his bride

The next good [k]night was cloathed in red
And he asked the maid if she woud wed

O you must ask my father dear
Likewise my mother that did me bare

And you must ask my lover John
I rkcwise my sisters everyone

O I have asked your father dear
Likewise your mother that did you bear

O I have asked your brother John
Likewise your sisters everyone

Her father gave her at the door
Her mother swooned upon the floor

Her father gave her at the stile
And her mother swoonded for her child

Her father gave her at the cross
And her brother helped her on the horse

He had a penknife long and sharp
And prickt his sister to the heart

Ride on ride on you fast good man
I think your bride looks pale and wan

Ride on ride on you next good man (knight)
I think your bride goes bleeding on

Ride on ride on you jolly bridegroom
I think your bride is almost dumb

She rode till she came to yonder hill
And there she lit and made her will

What will you leave your father dear
My wedding steed that brought me here

What will you give your mother dear
My wedding dress

That she may long upon the grief
And see she has a daughter less

What will you leave your sister ann
All I do wear on my right hand

What will you give your sister Jane
My cambric cap and gown of green

What will you give your sister Sue
My wedding hat with ribbons blue

What will you give your brother Johns wife
Sorrow and trouble all her life

What will you give your brother Johns child
A father only a little wild

What will you give your brother John
The gallows mother to hang upon

Peterborough MS. 87 p.34

Note to text: the words in brackets are those which Clare has deleted.

Untitled in the manuscript, this ballad is a version of Child, No. 11,'The Cruel Brother'. In other versions it is often difficult to establish a reason for the murder of the bride by her brother. Clare’s text, however, clearly states that the suitor must ask permission of her 'lover brother'. The existence of an incestuous relationship is thus established. Incest is the cause of fratricide in several other ballads, such as 'Sheath and Knife' (Child, No. 16),'The Bonny Hind' (Child, No.50) and 'Lizzie Wan' (Child, No.51 ). It is interesting to note it is incest between brother and sister and not father and daughter. There is no mention of a child or pregnancy as there is in the other examples given. Blood ties between brother and sister and her future children could have been strong enough to warrant the brother's permission being necessary prior to the marriage, and the groom's assurance that he had sought that permission could be a lie. Another common feature in this ballad is the last will and testament ending, which also occurs in 'Lord Randal'.

Although Clare has not given a source this obviously has its roots in oral culture. However it has not been widely collected, Bronson giving only eleven tunes. Clare’s text provides a useful link between the broadside texts of the seventeenth century and the versions subsequently collected and this may well be another example of a song from his own experience and memory rather than a 'collected song'.