Child Ballads

Child 1: Riddles Wisely Expounded

There were three sisters in the North 

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

And they lived in their mothers house

And you'll beguile a lady soon

There came a man one evening late

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

He came knocking at the gate

And you'll beguile a lady soon

The eldest sister let him in 

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

And locked the door with a silver pin

And you'll beguile a lady soon

The second sister made his bed

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

And laid soft pillows 'neath his head

And you'll beguile a lady soon

The youngest sister, fair and bright

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

She lay beside him all through the night

And you'll beguile a lady soon

And in the morning come the day

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

She said, "Young man, with you marry me?"

And you'll beguile a lady soon

He said,  "Yes, I'll marry thee"

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

"If you can answer this for me:"

And you'll beguile a lady soon

"What is greener than the grass?"

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

"And what is smoother than a glass?"

And you'll beguile a lady soon

"What is louder than a horn?" 

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

"And what is sharper than a thorn?"

And you'll beguile a lady soon

"What is deeper than the sea?"

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

"And what is longer than the way?"

And you'll beguile a lady soon

"And thee is greener the grass"

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

"Flattery smoother than the glass"

And you'll beguile a lady soon

"Rumours louder than a horn"

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

"Slander is sharper than the torn"

And you'll beguile a lady soon

"Regret is deeper than the sea"

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

"But love is longer than the way"

And you'll beguile a lady soon

The eldest sister rang the bell

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

She rang it from the highest hill 

And you'll beguile a lady soon

The second sister made the gown

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

She sewed it of a silk so fine

And you'll beguile a lady soon

The youngest sister, true and wise

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

They made of her a lovely bride

And you'll beguile a lady soon

And now, fair maids, I bid adieu

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

These parting words I leave with you:

And you'll beguile a lady soon

May you always constant prove

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Unto the one that you do love