McGrath, in answer to your question, this is the version I know:

Lord Thomas

Lord Thomas arose, early one morning
And he dressed himself in blue
Saying, "Mother I'm getting married today
And I want some advice from you."
"The brown girl has house and land
Fair Elenor, she has none.
Therefore I charge you with my blessing
Bring the brown girl home."

He rode until he came to Fair Elenor door
He tingled at the ring
And there was none so ready than she herself
To rise and let him in
"What's the matter - what's the matter, Lord Thomas?" she cried
"What is the matter with you?"
"I've come to invite you to my wedding
Isn't that good news for you."

"Oh mother should I go to Lord Thomas's wedding?
Or shall I terry at home?"
"Daughter I charge you with my blessing -
You better terry at home."
So she dressed herself all in her best
And most of her dresses was green
And every village that she came through
They took her to be some queen

She rode until she came to Lord Thomas's gate
She tingled at the ring
And there was none more ready than he himself,
To rise and let her in
He took her by the lily-white hand
And lead her into the hall – and seated her there
At the head of the table,
Among the gentlemen all

Is this your bride, sits by your side?
I'm sure she's wonderfully brown
You could have married the fairest lady
That ever the sun shone on
The brown girl, she had a knife
It was both long and sharp
She pierced it into Fair Elenors side
And into, and into her heart

"What's the matter – what's the matter", Fair Elenor cried
What is the matter with you?
Can't you see that I'm pierced to the heart?
My heart's blood's a-trickeling through."
So he took the brown girl by the hand
And lead her outside the hall
There with his sword he cut off her head
And bashed it against the wall

Crying: "Here's the end to three young lovers
God send their souls to rest
Bury the brown girl at my feet –
Fair Elenor at my breast"^^^


I first learnt it as a story told by my father and although it was cruel, we accepted it the way we accepted the cruelness of fairy tales, I suppose. I later discovered it as a song on one of my dads lp's of the Goya Guitar Festival , sung by Cynthia Gooding

Line Breaks <br> added. This is Child Ballad #73. This version is different from the several versions are already in the Digital Tradition, but I don't think I'll submit this one to the database.
-Joe Offer-