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Said the Lord to the Lady I am now going out |
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Beware of Cruel Lincoln when I am gone out |
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What cares I for Lincoln or any of his kin |
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For my doors are all bolted an my windows are pinned |
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As soon as the Lord had got out of sight |
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Cruel Lincoln crept in in the middle of the night |
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Got and pricked the sweet Baby which caused it to cry |
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Whilst the Nurse sat a singing o hush a lullaby |
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Cruel Lincoln rocked the cradle and the False Nurse she sung |
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And all round the cradle the Babies blood ran |
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O Nurse, O Nurse how sound you do sleep |
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Whilst my little Baby almost bitterly does weep |
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O Nurse, O Nurse, O still him with the keys |
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He will not still my Lady, let me do what 'ere I please |
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O Nurse, O Nurse, O still him with the ring |
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He will not still my Lady, let me do most anything |
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Cruel Lincoln rocked the cradle and the False Nurse she sung |
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While out of the cradle the Babies blood sprung |
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O Lady, dear Lady come and take him in your lap |
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For I cannot quiet him with milk nor with pap |
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How can I come down so late in the night |
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Without coal or candle for to grant me any light |
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There's two smocks in your coffer as white as any swan |
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Put one of these about you, it will show a light down |
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The Lady came down, not thinking any harm |
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Cruel Lincoln stood a waiting for to catch her in his arms |
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O Lincoln, Cruel Lincoln spare my life for one hour |
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You shall have my daughter Betsy, she's my own blooming flower |
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Go and fetch your daughter Betsy, she will do very well |
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To hold up the silver basin for to catch your hearts blood |
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There was blood in the kitchen, there was blood in the hall |
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There was blood in the parlour where the Lady did fall |
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As soon as the Lord had heard what was done |
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Tears from his eyes in torrents they ran |
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Saying the Nurse shall be hung on the scaffold so high |
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Cruel Lincoln shall be burned in the furnace close by |
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Cruel Lincoln shall be burned in the furnace close by |
