THE BROWN GIRL
1
(Obtained from Alic Hicks, rominger, North Carolina, December 18, 1933)

-1-
"The brown girl has both house and land
And fair Ellar she has none;
Therefore, a blessing, my own dear son,
If you bring me the brown girl home--
Oh, bring me the brown girl home."

-2-

Lord Thomas dressed his playmates all in green;
Himslef he dressed in white
And ever town he rode through
They took him to be some lord-knight.

-3-

He rode till he come to fiar Ellar's gate
And he gongle at the ring;
There none found as ready as fair Ellar was
To rise and let him come in.

-4-

"What news, what news, Lord Thomas?
Have you brought to me no news?"
"No news at all, fair Ellar,
But to ask you to my wedding."

-5-

"Bad news, bad news, you brought to me,"
Said fair Ellar,
"For I was expecting to be the bride myself
And you the great bright goom."

-6-

"Oh, mother, oh, mother,
Come, will me your desire;
To go to Lord thomas' wedding,
Or stay at home with you?

-7-

"Many of your friends will be there;
Many more of your foes.
Therefore, a blessing O do you, my child,
If you stay at home with me."

-8-

"Be me dead or be me live,
To Lord Thomas' wdding I'll go."