Kendall asked me about this, so here is my transcription of the Joan Sprung recording. I've put differences from the Digital Tradition in boldface type. MISTLETOE BOUGH (attributed to Thomas Haynes Bayly, who also wrote "Long Long Ago,") The mistletoe hung in the castle hall; The holly branch shone on the old oak wall. The Baron's retainers were blithe and gay, Keeping the Christmas holiday. The Baron beheld with a father's pride His beautiful child, Lord Lovell's bride. While she, with her bright eyes seemed to be The star of that goodly company. Oh, the mistletoe bough. "I'm weary of dancing, now," she cried; "Here, tarry a moment, I'll hide, I'll hide, And, Lovell, be sure you're the first to trace The clue to my secret lurking place." Away she ran, and her friends began Each tower to search and each nook to scan. And young Lovell cried, "Oh, where do you hide? I'm lonesome without you, my own fair bride." Oh, the mistletoe bough. They sought her that night, they sought her next day, They sought her in vain when a week passed away. In the highest, the lowest, the loneliest spot, Young Lovell sought wildly, but found her not. And the years flew by and their grief at last Was told as a sorrowful tale long past. When Lovell appeared, all the children cried, "See the old man weeps for his fairy bride." Oh, the mistletoe bough. At length, an old chest that had long laid hid Was found in the castle; they raised the lid. A skeleton form lay mouldering there In the bridal wreath of that lady fair. Sad was her fate when in sportive jest She hid from her lord in that old oak chest, It closed with a spring and a dreadful doom, And the bride lay clasped in a living tomb. Oh, the mistletoe bough. Recorded by Joan Sprung on "Pictures To My Mind," FSI-73, 1980
Joan Sprung recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crqEVliyxbY Gee, this is really creepy. Thanks for calling it to my attention, Kendall. -Joe-
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