Thanks for the kind words, John. Now I'd best get to work on the "Cruel Brother" text for Joelle. The one I sing is the version Cecil Sharp collected from Mrs. Hester House, in Hot Springs, NC, September 15, 1916. I find that I have changed it slightly, and I will include my amended text following the verse or line I have corrupted. My revision will be in italics.

THE CRUEL BROTHER (Child #11)

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

The first landlord was dressed in blue.
He asked his maid if she would be his true.

The next landlord was dressed in green.
He asked his maid if she'd be his queen.

The next landlord was dressed in white.
He asked his maid if she'd be his wife.

It's you may (must) ask my old father dear,
And you may (must) ask my mother, too.

It's I have asked your old father dear,
And I have asked your mother, too.

Your sister Ann I've asked her not;
Your brother John and I had forgot.
(.... Your brother John, him I forgot.)

Her old father dear was to lead her to the yard. (church)
He mother too was to lead her to the step.

Her brother John was to holp her up. (help)
As he holp (helped) her up he stabbed her deep.

Go ride me out on that green hill,
And lay me down and let me bleed.
(.... Carry me to yonder stile,
.... And lay me down while I bleed awhile.)

Go haul me up on that green hill,
(.... Carry me to yon high hill,)
And lay me down till I make (while I write)my will.

It's what will you will (leave) to your old father dear?
This house and land that I have here.

It's what will you will to your mother, too?
(.... It's what will you leave to your mother dear?)
This bloody clothing that I wear.

Go tell her to take them to yonders stream
(.... Tell her to wash them in yonders stream,)
For my heart's blood is in every seam.

It's what will you will to your sister Anne?
My new gold ring and my silver fan.

It's what wil you will to your brother John's wife?
In (it's) grief and sorrow the balance of her life.

It's what will you will to your brother John's son?
It's God for to bless and to make him a man.

It's what will you will to your brother John?
A rope and a gallows for to hang him on.

(The refrain is sung throughout the ballad, of course, as indicated in the first verse above.)

Sandy