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The English and Scottish Popular Ballads

Edited by Francis James Child.

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THE TWA SISTERS—Z

[_]

This copy of ‘The Twa Sisters,’ Z, a variety of R, was derived from ladies in New York, and by them from a cousin.

1

There was a man lived in the West,
Sing bow down, bow down
There was a man lived in the West,
The bow was bent to me
There was a man lived in the West,
He loved his youngest daughter best;
So you be true to your own true-love
And I'll be true to thee.

2

He gave the youngest a beaver hat;
The eldest she was mad at that.

3

He gave the youngest a gay gold ring;
The eldest she had nothing.

4

As they stood by the river's brim,
The eldest pushed the youngest in.

5

‘Oh dear sister, hand me your hand,
And I'll give you my house and land.

6

‘Oh dear sister, hand me your glove,
And you shall have my own true-love.’

7

First she sank and then she swam,
She swam into the miller's dam.

8

The miller, with his line and hook,
He caught her by the petticoat.

9

He robbed her of her gay gold ring,
And then he threw her back again.

10

The miller, he was burnt in flame,
The eldest sister fared the same.