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The English and Scottish Popular Ballads

Edited by Francis James Child.

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THE DEATH OF QUEEN JANE—H

[_]

Communicated by Rev. S. Baring-Gould, as recited by Samuel Force.

1

Queen Jane, O! Queen Jane, O! what a lady was she!
And six weeks and a day in labour was she;
Queen Jane was in labour for six weeks and more,
Till the women grew weary and fain would give oer.

2

‘O women, O women, good wives as ye be,
Go send for King Henry and bring him to me.’
King Henry was sent for, and to her he came:
‘Dear lady, fair lady, your eyes they look dim.’

3

King Henry came to her, he came in all speed,
In a gown of red velvet, from the heel to the head:
‘King Henry, King Henry, if kind you will be,
Send for a good doctor, and let him come to me.’

4

The doctor was sent for, he came with all speed,
In a gown of black velvet from the heel to the head;
The doctor was sent for and to her he came:
‘Dear lady, fair lady, your labour's in vain.’

5

‘Dear doctor, dear doctor, will you do this for me?
O open my right side, and save my baby:’
Then out spake King Henry, That never can be,
I'd rather lose the branches than the top of the tree.

6

The doctor gave a caudle, the death-sleep slept she,
Then her right side was opened and the babe was set free;
The babe it was christened, and put out and nursd,
But the royal Queen Jane lay cold in the dust.