[00:48.71]As it fell out on a long summer's day,
[00:52.69]Two lovers they sat on a hill;
[00:56.52]They sat together that long summer's day
[01:00.59]And could not talk their fill.
[01:04.43]"I see no harm by you, Margaret,
[01:08.45]Nor you see none by me;
[01:12.48]Before tomorrow eight a clock
[01:16.57]A rich wedding shall you see."
[01:20.46]Fair Margaret sat in her bower-window
[01:24.48]A combing of her hair,
[01:28.26]And there she spy'd Sweet William and his bride
[01:32.40]As they were riding near.
[01:36.43]Down she layd her ivory comb,
[01:40.35]And up she bound her hair;
[01:44.33]She went her way forth of her bower,
[01:48.42]But never more did come there.
[01:52.40]When day was gone, and night was con
[01:56.32]And all men fast asleep,
[02:00.27]Then came the spirit of Fair Margaret,
[02:04.46]And stood at William's feet.
[02:08.57]"God give you joy, you two true lovers,
[02:12.55]In bride-bed fast asleep;
[02:16.47]Loe I am going to my green grass grave
[02:20.61]And am in my winding-sheet."
[02:24.63]When day was come, and night was gone
[02:28.45]And all men wak'd from sleep,
[02:32.19]Sweet William to his lady said,
[02:36.43]My dear, I have cause to weep.
[02:40.63]He called up his merry men all,
[02:44.56]By one, by two, and by three,
[02:48.69]Saying, I 'll away to Fair Margaret's bower,
[02:52.61]By the leave of my lady.
[04:16.61]And when he came to Fair Margaret's bower,
[04:20.64]He knocked at the ring;
[04:24.46]So ready was her seven brethren
[04:28.40]To let Sweet William in.
[04:32.49]He turned up the covering-sheet;
[04:36.27]"Pray let me see the dead;
[04:40.39]Methinks she does look pale and wan,
[04:44.48]She has lost her cherry red.
[04:48.45]"I 'll do more for thee, Margaret,
[04:52.38]Than any of thy kin;
[04:56.41]For I will kiss thy pale wan lips,
[05:00.34]Tho a smile I cannot win."
[05:04.36]With that bespeak her seven brethren,
[05:08.25]Making most pitious moan:
[05:12.19]"You may go kiss your jolly brown bride,
[05:16.47]And let our sister alone."
[05:20.25]"If I do kiss my jolly brown bride,
[05:24.30]I do but what is right;
[05:28.14]For I made no vow to your sister dear,
[05:32.17]By day or yet by night.
[05:36.20]"Pray tell me then how much you 'll deal
[05:40.28]Of your white bread and your wine;
[05:44.16]So much as is dealt at her funeral today
[05:48.59]Tomorrow shall be dealt at mine."
[05:52.12]Fair Margaret dy'd today, today,
[05:56.09]Sweet William he dy'd the morrow;
[06:00.13]Fair Margaret dy'd for pure true love,
[06:04.13]Sweet William he dy'd for sorrow.
[06:08.17]Margaret was buried in the lower chancel,
[06:12.20]Sweet William in the higher;
[06:16.08]Out of her breast there sprung a rose,
[06:20.05]And out of his a brier.
[06:24.02]They grew as high as the church-top,
[06:28.01]Till they could grow no higher,
[06:31.95]And then they grew in a true lover's knot,
[06:35.93]Which made all people admire.