Willie O' Winsbury

The king has been a prisoner And a pris'ner long in Spain 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 sleepin' with a man It is for you my father dear 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 shape 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 knight Or a man of birth and fame? Or was it with one of my servingmen So lately returnin' from Spain?" "No it wasn't with a lord or a duke or knight Or a man of birth and fame No, it was with Willie of Winsbury For I could bide no longer alone" The king has called on his merrymen all By thirty and by three Sayin', "Fetch me this Willie o' Winsbury That hangèd he may be" 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" "Why 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 Himself a dapple-grey He's made her the lady of as much land She should ride in a long summer's day He's made her the lady of as much land 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