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The English and Scottish Popular Ballads

Edited by Francis James Child.

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FAIR MARGARET AND SWEET WILLIAM—C

[_]

Communicated to Percy by Rev. P. Parsons, of Wye, April 7, 1770.

1

As Margaret stood at her window so clear,
A combing back her hair,
She saw Sweet William and his gay bride
Unto the church draw near.

2

Then down she threw her ivory comb,
She turned back her hair;
There was a fair maid at that window,
She's gone, she'll come no more there.

3

In the night, in the middle of the night,
When all men were asleep,
There walkd a ghost, Fair Margaret's ghost,
And stood at his bed's feet.

4

Sweet William he dremed a dream, and he said,
‘I wish it prove for good;
My chamber was full of wild men's wine,
And my bride-bed stood in blood.’

5

Then he calld up his stable-groom,
To saddle his nag with speed:
‘This night will I ride to Fair Margaret's bowr,
With the leave of my lady.

6

‘Oh is Fair Margaret in the kitchen?
Or is she in the hall?
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]

7

‘No, she is not in the kitchen,’ they cryed,
‘Nor is she in the hall;
But she is in the long chamber,
Laid up against the wall.’

8

Go with your right side to Newcastle,
And come with your left side home,
There you will see those two lovers
Lie printed on one stone.