Drowned Lovers - Kate Rusby

Willie sites in his stable door

And he’s combing his coal-black steed

He’s doubting on fair Margaret’s love

And his heart begins to bleed

«Give corn unto me horse, mother

And meat to my man, john

And I’ll away to fair Margaret’s bower

Before the night comes on.»

«Stay at home with me, dear Willie

Oh stay at home with me

And the very best cock in all the roost

Your own supper will be.»

«For all your cocks and all your roots I value not a pin

And I’ll away to fair Margaret’s bower

Before the night comes in.»

«Well if you go to fair Margaret’s bower

Without the leave of me

In the deepest part of the Clyde water

Then drowned you will be.»

«Oh, the good steed that I ride upon

Cost me thrice thirty pounds

And I’ll put trust in his swift feet

To take me safe and sound.»

He’s ridden o’er yon high, high hill

And down, yon dovey den

And the rushin' in of the Clyde water

Would fear five hundred men

«Oh, roaring Clyde, you roar so loud

Your streams are wondrous strong

Make me a wreck as I come back

But spare me as I’m gone.»

When he’s got to fair Margaret’s bower

He’s turled low on the pin

«Rise up, rise up me May Margaret

Rise up and let me in.»

«Oh, who is this at me bower door

Callin' May Margaret’s name?»

«Oh, it’s only your first love, little William

This night come to her home

«Open your gates this night, oh open and let me in

For my boots are full of the Clyde water

And I’m frozen to the skin.»

«My barns are full of corn, Willie

And my stable’s full of hay

My bower’s are full of gentlemen

And they won’t remove till day.»

«Fare thee well to you May Margaret

Fare thee well and adieu

For I have won my mother’s own curse

By comin' this night to you.»

He’s ridden o’er yon high, high hill

And down, yon dovey den

And the rushing in of the Clyde water

Took Willie’s hat from him

He’s leaned over his saddle bow

To catch his hat again

And the rushing in of the Clyde water

Took Willie’s cane from him

He’s leaned him over his saddle bow

To catch his cane by force

And the rushing in of the Clyde Water

Took Willie from his horse

The very hour this young man sank

Into the part so deep

Up and awoke Miss May Margaret

Out from her dreary sleep

«Come here, come here, my mother dear

And read to me my dream

I dreamed my love was at our gate

And no one let him in.»

«Lie there, lie there, me May Margaret

Lie there and take your rest

For since your love was at our

Gate it’s but two quarters past.»

Numbly, numbly rose she up unto the water’s brim

And the louder that this young girl cried

The louder grew the wind

The very first step that she went in

She’s up unto her feet

And it’s «Oh and alas!»

this young girl cried, «Your

Water’s wondrous deep.»

Oh the very next step that she went in

She’s up unto her knees

Cried she, «I would go further in

If I my true lover could see.»

The very next step that she went in

She’s up unto her chin

In the deepest part of the Clyde water

She’s found sweet William in

Saying «You have had a cruel mother Willie

And I have had another

And now we’ll sleep in the Clyde water

Like sister and like brother.»

Saying «You have had a cruel mother Willie

And I have had another

And now we’ll sleep in the Clyde water

Like sister and like brother.»