SUFFOLK MIRACLE or SWEET WILLIAM'S GHOST (2) It's of an old and wealthy man He had a daughter and her name was Ann She were handsome, fine and tall She had a loving face withal Sing lady, lady, lady fair Many a suitor had she there A widow's son of low degree Among them all, she fancied he Sing courting, courting, courting cane There's many a courtship all in vain For when her father came to know He sent her far, oh far from home One night as she were lying down The quiet loosening of her gown She heard a low and d**hly sound Says, "Loose my bounds, I'm earthly bound" She looked out of her window clear She seen her love on her father's mare "Here's your mother's cloak, here's your father's roan They sent me here, love, to bring you home" He's mounted up, she's on behind And they rode on with contented mind But all along, complaint he made "Oh love, oh love, my head do ache" Her handkerchief from her neck around
She bound it round his head around He set her down at her father's door Then her true love she saw no more "Awake, awake, awake," said she "Is no one here for to welcome me?" "You're welcome home, dear child," said he "But what trusty friend did come for thee?" "Did you not send one I do adore That love so dear and must love no more?" Her father frowned and shook his head Says, "Your true love been one year dead" He's summonsed clerk and clergy, too That grave was opened and him to view And though he had been a twelvemonth dead Her handkerchief was bound round his head So a warning to you old folks still Don't hinder young ones from their will The first they love they'll never forget Though he be dead, she'll love him yet Child #272 recorded by Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl on Blood & Roses I filename[ WILIGHO2 see also WILIGHOS SF ===DOCUMENT BOUNDARY===