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-