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William and Ellen

from Dear Balladeer by Forest Mountain Hymnal

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William and Ellen (Niles No. 5) – Collected July 4, 1916 from Red Jules Napier, Black Jules Napier, and Chester Staffer, Hazard KY

Lord William fetched up his bride,
He fetched up his horse.
Said, “If we fail at the watery ford,
We’ll suffer then a loss.”

His horse’s name was Pointed Star,
And then he quickly said,
“If you don’t call me by my name,
We’ll leave them all cold dead.”

“Oh Ellen, Ellen, tell me true,
Tis now you must decide.
It’s go back to your mother, dear,
Or stay and die my bride.”

There was no wedding on that day,
No wedding on that night,
For they were dead and laid to rest
With chant and candle light.

His mother died account of grief,
Of sorrow died his bride,
And there they laid the three to rest,
In churchyard side by side.

Come all young men and ladies
Who yearn for love’s delight.
Remember how Lord William’s rose
Hugged Ellen’s briar so tight.

credits

from Dear Balladeer, released January 1, 2015

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Forest Mountain Hymnal Nashville, Tennessee

Forest Mountain Hymnal (Jonathan and Rebecca Moody) is the result of our passion for folk music, fables, and the natural world in which we grew up, both in Nashville, Tennessee and Sewanee, Tennessee at the University of the South. We hope, with our music, to celebrate love, nature, peace, and community. ... more

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