I think I saw a version on DT that had the fa la la... refrain. I also heard a recording by Pentangle (John Renbourne, Jacqui McShee, et al.) with that chorus, but it wasn't a cappella. Here's my transcription of their lyrics:CRUEL SISTER
There lived a lady by the North Sea shore
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
Two daughters were the babes she bore
Fa la-la-la-la la la la la-laAs one grew bright as is the sun
So coal black grew the elder oneA knight came riding to the lady's door
He travelled far to be their wooerHe courted one with gloves and rings
But he loved the other above all thingsOh, sister, will you go with me
To watch the ships sail on the seaShe took her sister by the hand
And led her down to the North Sea strandAnd as they stood on the windy shore
The dark girl threw her sister o'erSometimes she sank; sometimes she swam
Crying sister reach to me your handOh, sister, sister let me live
And all that's mine I'll surely giveYour own true love that I'll have and more
But thou shalt never come ashoreAnd there she floated like a swan
The salt sea bore her body onTwo minstrels walked along the strand
And saw the maiden float to landThey've made a harp of her breastbone
Whose sound would melt a heart of stoneThey took three locks of her yellow hair
And with them strung the harp so rareThey went into her father's hall
To play the harp before them allBut as they laid it on a stone
The harp began to play aloneThe first string sang a doleful sound
The bright haired younger sister drownedThe second string as that they tried
In terror sits the black haired brideThe third string sang beneath their bow
And surely now her tears will flowHope this helps.
HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 5-May-02.