I learned this song, as far as I recall, from Tony Holleran, a fine singer who ran a folk club in the Irish MIdlands for many years. There's a version in the recently published "A Living Voice: the Frank Harte Song Collection", which has an extra verse and some minor differences. As "The Lady of Carlisle", it was popular in the English revival, I understand - though I don't recall hearing it as such. There are also versions in European art music and poetry, I think. The Lion’s Den There were two brothers, two noble warriors They fell in love with a lady gay And for to win her they did endeavour They tried to gain her both night and day Now, one of them, he was a bold sea-captain Commanded by brave Admiral Carr While the other one, he was a First Lieutenant On board the Tiger, man-of-war The lady made a great resolution That she would marry no man but he Who would prove himself a brave man of honour On the land and upon the sea She ordered a coach for to be made ready One morning early at the break of day And with her two gallants rode o’er the mountains Until she came where two towers lay And when she came unto them towers She threw her fan into the lions’ den Saying “Whichever of you would win the lady Must bring me back my fan again” And then up spoke that bold sea-captain And he was sore distressed in mind “In battle I was ne’er thought a coward And to kill my foes I was well inclined But among these bears and these lions and tigers I’m afraid my life would no ransom prove So I’ll not venture my life in danger Though I might never gain your love” And then up spoke that First Lieutenant In a voice like thunder both loud and shrill Saying “I will venture my life in danger All for to honour my true love’s will” Then from his side he drew out his rapier And two of them lions he did kill When the others saw his manly bearing Down at their conqueror’s feet they fell Then he bent over, the fan to pickup This noble warrior made no delay While the lady in her coach was trembling Lest he become the lions’ prey But when she saw her bold hero coming And that no harm to him was done With open arms she did embrace him Saying “Take the prize, love, that you have won.” And it wasn’t long till the King got notice That two of his lions, they had been slain But he was not at all displeased And gave him honour all for the same He raised him from being a First Lieutenant To being the Admiral of the Blue And soon this lady and he were marries Which shows us all what Love can do! Regards
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