Here are the lyrics that Robert and I revised for our recording of Willie of Winsbury:


WILLIE OF WINSBURY

The king has been a prisoner
And a prisoner long in Spain
And Willie of the Winsbury
Has with the King’s daughter lain

What ails you, what ails you my daughter Jane.
For you look so pale and wan
I fear you have some sad sickness
Or else you be with child

I am not sick my father dear
But with child I surely be
For I was grieving all those days
And what had become of thee.

Oh, was it with a lord or a duke
Or a man of birth and fame
Or was it with one of my serving men
That's lately come out of Spain?

It was not with a lord, nor duke
Nor a man of birth and fame,
But it was with Willie of Winsbury,
I could bide no longer alone.

And the king has called on his merry men
By thirty and by three,
Says, Fetch me this Willie of Winsbury,
For hang-ed he shall be.

But there did stand before the king
A kind and courteous young man
His heart was pure and full of love
For Jane and their child within.

And will you marry my daughter Jane,
By the truth of your right hand?
Oh, will you marry my daughter Jane
I will make you the lord of my land.

Oh yes, I will marry your daughter Jane.
By the truth of my right hand
Why yes, I will marry your daughter Jane
But I'll not be the lord of your land

For I have houses and I have land
I have men at my command
And were it not for your daughter fair
I would not be your serving man

And he's set her on a milk-white steed,
And himself on a dapple grey
He’s made her the lady of as much land
As she can ride in a long summer's day.