Tuesday, March 10, 2026 · 天火 · tianmu.org
A Book of Old English Ballads
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Texts
1. IntroductionGoethe, who saw so many things with such clearness of vision, brought out the charm of the popular ballad for readers of a later day in his remark that the value of these songs of the people is to be...2. Chevy ChaceGOD prosper long our noble king, Our liffes and safetyes all;3. King Cophetua and the Beggar-MaidI READ that once in Affrica A princely wight did raine,4. King Leir and his Three DaughtersKING LEIR once rulèd in this land With princely power and peace,5. Fair RosamondWHEN as King Henry rulde this land, The second of that name, Besides the queene, he dearly lovde A faire and comely dame.6. Phillida and CorydonIN the merrie moneth of Maye,7. Fair Margaret and Sweet WilliamAs it fell out on a long summer's day, Two lovers they sat on a hill; They sat together that long summer's day, And could not talk their fill. "I see no harm by you, Margarèt, And you see none by mee;...8. Annan Water"ANNAN Water's wading deep, And my love Annie's wondrous bonny;9. The Bailiff's Daughter of IslingtonTHERE was a youthe, and a well-beloved youthe, And he was a squire's son;10. Barbara Allen's CrueltyALL in the merry month of May, When green buds they were swelling, Young Jemmy Grove on his death-bed lay For love o' Barbara Allen.11. The Douglas Tragedy"RISE up, rise up, now, Lord Douglas," she says, "And put on your armour so bright;12. Young WatersABOUT Yule, when the wind blew cool; And the round tables began, A' there is come to our king's court Mony a well-favoured man.13. Flodden FieldKING JAMIE hath made a vow, Keepe it well if he may: That he will be at lovely London Upon Saint James his day.14. Helen of KirkconnellI WAD I were where Helen lies; Night and day on me she cries; O that I were where Helen lies, On fair Kirkconnell lea!15. Robin Hood and Allen-a-DaleCOME listen to me, you gallants so free, All you that love mirth for to hear, And I will tell you of a bold outlàw, That lived in Nottinghamshire.16. Robin Hood and Guy of GisborneWHEN shaws beene sheene, and shradds full fayre, And leaves both large and longe,17. Robin Hood's Death and BurialWHEN Robin Hood and Little John Down a down, a down, a down, Went o'er yon bank of broom,18. The Twa CorbiesAs I was walking all alane, I heard twa corbies making a maen: The tane unto the t'ither did say, "Whaur shall we gang and dine the day?"19. Waly, Waly, Love be BonnyO WALY, waly up the bank, And waly, waly down the brae,20. The Nut-brown MaidBE it right, or wrong, these men among On women do complain;21. The Fause LoverA FAIR maid sat in her bower door, Wringing her lily hands; And by it came a sprightly youth, Fast tripping o'er the strands.22. The MermaidTo yon fause stream that, near the sea, Hides mony an elf and plum,23. The Battle of OtterburnIT fell about the Lammas tide, When husbands winn their hay, The doughty Douglas bound him to ride Into England to take a prey.24. The Lament of the Border WidowMY love he built me a bonny bower, And clad it a' wi' a lilye flower, A brawer bower ye ne'er did see, Than my true love he built for me.25. The Banks o' YarrowLATE at e'en, drinking the wine, And ere they paid the lawing,26. Hugh of LincolnFOUR and twenty bonny boys Were playing at the ba', And up it stands him sweet Sir Hugh, The flower among them a'.27. Sir Patrick SpensTHE king sits in Dunfermline town, Drinking the blude-red wine;