Текст пісні
The king has been a prisoner, been a prisoner long in Spain
And Willie of the Winsbury, has long lain with his daughter at home
"What ails you, what ails you, my daughter Janet
That you look so pale and wan?
Oh, have you had any sore sickness
Or yet been sleeping with a man?"
"I have not had any sore sickness
Nor yet been sleeping with a man
It is for you, my father dear
For biding so long in Spain"
"Cast off, cast off your berry-brown gown
Stand naked on the stone
That I may know you by your shade
If you be a maiden or no"
So she cast off her berry-brown gown
She stood naked on the stone
Her apron was low and her haunches were round
And her face was pale and wan
"Oh, was it with a lord or a duke or a knight
Or a man of birth and fame
Or was it with one of my serving-men
So lately returning from Spain?"
"No, it wasn't with a lord or a duke or a knight
Or a man of birth and fame
But it was with Willie of Winsbury
For I could bide no longer alone"
The king has called on his merry-men all
By thirty and by three
Saying, "Fetch me this Willie of Winsbury
That hanged he may be"
And when he came before the king
He was clad all in the red silk
His hair was like thick bands of gold
And his skin was as white as the milk
"It is no wonder," said the king
"That my daughter's heart you did win
For if I was a woman, as I am a man
My bedfellow you would have been"
"Now, will you marry my daughter Janet
By the truth of your right hand?
Oh, will you marry my daughter Janet?
I'll make you a lord in my land"
"Oh, yes, I will marry your daughter Janet
By the truth of my right hand
Oh, yes, I will marry your daughter Janet
But I'll not be a lord in your land"
Now he's mounted her on a milk-white steed
And himself a dapple gray
He has made her the lady of as much land
As she should ride in a long summer's day
He has made her the lady of as much land
As she will ride in a long summer's day
He has made her the lady of as much land
As she shall ride in a long summer's day