I recorded a version on my "Home From Home" CD......On Ian Robb's Fallen Angle Records, Ottawa.

Tim Radford

The Rolling of The Stones

A version of the ballad "The Two Brothers" (Child No.49),
with a tune learned via The Young Tradition, who sang a three verse version.
My words were obtained only relatively recently from Maine, U.S.A., via the Internet!
I had heard about and been looking for a full version of this song for many years - thank the Lord for technology.

The Song

Will you go to the rolling of the stones
Or the dancing of the ball?
Or will you go and see pretty Susie
And dance among them all.

I will not go to the rolling of the stones
Or the tossing of the ball
But I will go and see pretty Susie
And dance among them all

Will you drink of the blood
The white wine & the red
Or will you go and see pretty Susie
When that I am dead.

They hadn't danced but a single dance
More than twice around
Before the sword at her true love's side
Gave him his fatal wound

They picked him up and carried him away
For he was sore distressed
They buried him all in the greenwoods
Where he was wont to rest

Pretty Susie she came a wandering by
With a tablet under her arm
Until she came to her true love's grave
And she began to charm

She charmed the fish out of the sea
And the birds out of their nests
She charmed her true love out of his grave
So he could no longer rest

Will you go to the rolling of the stones
Or the dancing of the ball?
Or will you go and see pretty Susie
And dance among them all

I will not go to the rolling of the stones
Or the tossing of the ball
But I will go and see pretty Susie
And dance among them all.