The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #33567   Message #447812
Posted By: Sandy Paton
23-Apr-01 - 11:07 PM
Thread Name: Origins: The Cruel Brother (Child #11)
Subject: RE: 'thecruelbrother'lyrics
The version I sing came from Sharp's English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, Joelle. I'll post the text, but I've probably corrupted it slightly in the forty-five years that I've been singing it, so I want to check my source and make sure you get the proper words.

Caroline knows the version sung by David Jones (with such a glorious melody!), but she wants to think about the words a bit before she gets me to type them here for her. So, hang in there, lass. You'll have them soon. Maybe even sooner, if some kind sould in Mudcatlanmd has a copy of Sharp and wants to take on the burden (hint! hint!). The one I sing is the one that starts:

There were three fair maids went out to play at ball,
I-O the lily gay,
And three landlords come court them all,
And the rose smells so sweet, I know.

Any volunteers?

Sandy