The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #139929   Message #3213092
Posted By: Paul Davenport
26-Aug-11 - 02:27 PM
Thread Name: How old are the oldest Child ballads?
Subject: ADD Version: Judas (Child 23)
Here's our 'modern' version.
The recording is on 'Spring Tide Rising'
http://www.hallamtrads.co.uk
Enjoy

JUDAS (Child 23)
(Modern version by Paul Davenport)

At Passover-tide our Lord he arose
And gentle the words that he spoke to Judas
To Jerusalem go and take there for to try        
Thirty pieces of silver our supper to buy

Judas met with his sister, a wicked woman
Who cruel words spoke so he wished her be gone
If I had my will, I should stone thee with stone
All for that false prophet thou dotest upon

Ah, peace, dearest sister, my heart ye would break
For my dear Lord he would die for thy sake
Then forgive me, said she, come now, sleep in my barn
Then this wicked woman took him by the arm

But upon the next morning when he did awaken
Thirty pieces of silver from him she had taken
A crying and a screaming he went in the street
And there that rich man Pontius Pilate did meet

What ails thee, what ails thee? then Pilate he said
I betrayed my Lord's trust and I wish myself dead
Thirty pieces of silver he trusted to me
For to buy bread and wine our supper to be

Then up spoke Pilate, saying I'll give thee gold
If that you will tell me where to find your Lord
I want not your gold, but if thou give to me
Thirty pieces of silver, I'll tell it to thee

Then in came Lord Jesus and sat down to eat
Unto his apostles these words he did speak
Come, eat dear apostles, take the bread that I break
For I am bought and sold all for this supper's sake

Then up spoke Peter crying, What hast thou done?
You have sold our Lord who is God's only son!
Be still Peter, said Jesus, for this I do know
You shall sell me three times, e'er the cocks they do crow