The Banks of the Vergio

Child #14
(AElflaed of Duckford)

      Dm      C          Dm
Three sisters walked out one fine day,
                        Am
     Oh the lee and the lonely-o,
     Dm    C      Dm
They met a robber on their way,
            Dm             C            Dm
     By the bonnie, bonnie banks of the Vergio.

He took the first one by the hand,
     Oh the lee and the lonely-o,
He whipped her around and he made her stand,
     By the bonnie, bonnie banks of the Vergio.

"Oh, will you be a robber's wife,"
     Oh the lee and the lonely-o,
"Or will you die by my penknife?"
     By the bonnie, bonnie banks of the Vergio.

"Oh, I'll not be a robber's wife,"
     Oh the lee and the lonely-o,
"I'd rather die by your penknife,"
     By the bonnie, bonnie banks of the Vergio.

So he took out his small penknife,
     Oh the lee and the lonely-o,
And there he took her own dear life,
     By the bonnie, bonnie banks of the Vergio.

He took the next one by the hand,
     Oh the lee and the lonely-o,
He whipped her around and he made her stand,
     By the bonnie, bonnie banks of the Vergio.

"Oh, will you be a robber's wife,"
     Oh the lee and the lonely-o,
"Or will you die by my penknife?"
     By the bonnie, bonnie banks of the Vergio.

"Oh, I'll not be a robber's wife,"
     Oh the lee and the lonely-o,
"I'd rather die by your penknife,"
     By the bonnie, bonnie banks of the Vergio.

So he took out his small penknife,
     Oh the lee and the lonely-o,
And there he took her own dear life,
     By the bonnie, bonnie banks of the Vergio.

He took the third one by the hand,
     Oh the lee and the lonely-o,
He whipped her around and he made her stand,
     By the bonnie, bonnie banks of the Vergio.

"Oh, will you be a robber's wife,"
     Oh the lee and the lonely-o,
"Or will you die by my penknife?"
     By the bonnie, bonnie banks of the Vergio.

"Oh, I'll not be a robber's wife,"
     Oh the lee and the lonely-o,
"And I'll not die by your penknife."
     By the bonnie, bonnie banks of the Vergio.

"Though you have killed my sisters dear,"
     Oh the lee and the lonely-o,
"You'd not have done that if my brother were here,"
     By the bonnie, bonnie banks of the Vergio.

"Pray tell me what does your brother do?"
     Oh the lee and the lonely-o,
"Why, he's out robbing just like you."
     By the bonnie, bonnie banks of the Vergio.

"Oh, dear God, what have I done?"
     Oh the lee and the lonely-o,
"I've murdered my sisters, all but one,"
     By the bonnie, bonnie banks of the Vergio.

So he took out his small penknife,
     Oh the lee and the lonely-o,
And there he took his own dear life,
     By the bonnie, bonnie banks of the Vergio.


On "Feasthall Ballads, A Dozen Fine Ballads From our Ancestors" tape,
(p) 1984 by Raymond's Quiet Press, Albuquerque, New Mexico