Fay Hield - Queen Eleanor's Confession lyrics

Queen Eleanor was a sick woman sick just like to die And she has called for two friars of France to come to her speedily The King called down his nobles all an angry man was he Earl Marshal I'll go shrive the Queen and you will come with me A boon, a boon said Earl Marshall and fell on bended knee For if the Queen shall hear of this then hanged I shall be I swear by the sun, I swear by the moon and by the stars so high That by my scepter and my crown Earl Marshal shall not die The King's put on a grey friar's gown Earl Marshall's donned another And they're away to fair London town like friar's both together And when they came to London town, and came down through Whitehall The bells did ring and the choirs sing and the torches did light them all And when they came before the Queen they fell on bended knee What matter, what matter our gracious Queen, you sent so speedily Oh if you are two friars of France it's you I wish to see But if you are two English lords you'll hang on the gallows tree The very first sin I did commit I will now tell to thee I fell in love with the Earl Marshal as he brought me over the sea Oh that was a vile sin said the King but pardoned it may be Amen, amen said the Earl Marshal with a heavy heart spoke he Oh the next vile sin I did commit I will to you unfold Earl Marshal had my maidenhead beneath this gown of gold Oh that was a vile sin said the King may God forgive it thee Amen, amen said the Earl Marshal and a frightened man was he Oh don't you see those two little boys a-playing at the ball The eldest is Earl Marshal's son and I like him the best of all Oh don't you see that other little boy a-playing at the ball Oh that one is King Henry's son and I like him the worst of all His head is like a black boar's head his feet are like a bear What matter, what matter cried the King he's my son and my only heir The King pulled off his grey friar's gown and stood in his scarlet red Queen Eleanor turned in her bed and cried she was betrayed The King looked o'er his left shoulder and a grim look looked he If I hadn't sworn on my scepter and crown you'd hang in the gallows tree