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Englisch
Englisch
There was a squire lived in the West, a squire of high degree
He has won the heart of a lady gay, though fortune small had he
But when her father he come to know, oh, an angry man was he
He’s ordered of his daughter dear to shun such company
And there was a rich lord he lived nearby, he had one handsome young son
Come a-courting of this lady gay, though wooing he gave her none
But he’s wooed her father, he’s wooed her kin, and I have heard men say
That he never did woo the lass herself before the wedding day
He’s gained consent of her father and mother, and old and young likewise
Until she cries “Oh, I am undone” and the tears fell from her eyes
She’s wrote a letter to the squire to let him understand
“This very day I am forced to wed unto this rich lord’s son.”
Well, the first few lines that he read o’er, he smiled and thus did say
“I might deprive him of his bride all on his wedding day.”
He’s wrote her back another letter, “Be sure to dress all in green
And a suit of the same, love, I will put on; at your wedding I’ll be seen
A suit of the same I will put on, to your wedding I’ll repair
My dearest dear, I’ll have you yet, in spite of all that is there.”
He’s lookèd east, he’s lookèd west, he’s lookèd over all his lands
He’s gathered then a score of men all for to join his plan
He’s mounted two on every steed, though a single man rode he
Then up and away to the wedding house went the company dressed all in green
And when they’ve come to the wedding house, they unto him did say
“You’re welcome, Sir, you’re welcome here, but are you alone this day?”
He’s laughed at them, he’s scorned at them, he smiled and thus did say
“For you might have seen my green-clad troops come riding out this way.”
Then the squire he took up a glass of wine, he’s filled it to the brim
“Here is a health unto that man, the man they call the groom
Here is a health unto the man that would enjoy his bride
Though another might love her twice as well and steal her from his side.”
Then up and spoke that rich young lord, oh, an angry man was he
“If it’s to fight that you come here, then I’m the man for thee.”
“Well, it’s not to fight that I come here, but only friendship for to show
Give me one word of your bonny young bride and away from you I will go.”
Well the very first word he spoke to her, her answer it was “Nay.”
And the very next words he spoke to her, was, “Mount and come away!”
He’s took her by the middle so small and by the grass-green sleeve
He’s led her out of the wedding house, nor asked of any, leave
And the trumpets blew and the flags they flew, so glorious to be seen
Then over the hills and far away went the company dressed all in green
The wedding guests, they scorned at him, they smiled and thus did say
“Well, it must have been some fairy troop that stole your bride away.”
julietarabKommentare
A variant of Katherine Jaffray (Child 221)