The Bonny Swan

Morning came quick in the north country. We had to make the workers tend the farm before sunrise because then it would be too hot.  My father and mother owned all the farms.

For you see, my father is the king and my mother is the queen. They had five children including me. I was the youngest. Two boys, Hugh -the oldest-,and  William. Three girls, Ann-Oldest-, Jane and me, Mary. Being born last I already knew I would never inherit the throne. I was just fine being a princess.

While my brothers were sent to get the farm hands up. My sisters and I worked at the river spring on the edge of the forest. We loved to watch the swans swim there while we cleaned. 

 But today was special , today was my 16 birthday.  I would soon need to find a husband. There was one man in the kings court that I was interested in. His name was Isaac and he was 18, the same age as my sister Anne.

I one time saw Anne trying to catch his attention during the spring cotilion. He ended coming to ask me to dance.  We had a good time, we danced well together. But I always felt Anne’s eyes throwing daggers at my back.

Since It was my birthday today I would have a royal ball thrown in my honor. Yesterday Isaac asked if he could be my escort. I accepted for it was heard he was going to propose tonight.

Before I could prepare for the ball my sisters and I had to finish up washing garments at the river spring.  As I was leaning over to wash my final robe I felt hands on my back.

Suddenly I was pushed into the water, I could not swim and I started to go under. I could no longer gasp for air. Water filed my lungs and I drown. My sisters had already left so no one could save me.

The eldest pushed the youngest in .

I was already dead when a farm helper found me. He laid me on the bank to dry.  When a harp maker walked by.

He made harp pins of my fingers fair, He made harp strings of my golden hair, He made a harp of my breast bone, And straight it began to play alone.

The swans continued to swim.

He brought it to her father's hall, And there was the court, assembled all, He laid the harp upon a stone, And straight it began to play lone

                   

And there does sit my father the King, And yonder sits my mother the Queen, And there does sit my brother Hugh,And by him William, sweet and true, And there does sit my false sister, Anne,

Who drowned me for the sake of a man.