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Drowned Lovers
Child Ballad #216
As heard sung by both Nic Jones and Kate Rusby from England.
Also called "Clyde's Water" and "The Mother's Malison"--the story of two wicked mothers who curse their children who are in love.
Recorded live at The Blackstone River Theatre, September 30, 2000.

lyrics

Willie sits in his stable door and he's combing his coal black steed
He's doubting on fair Margaret's love and his heart begins to bleed
"Give corn unto me horse, mother, and meat to my man John
And I'll away to fair Margaret's bower before the night comes on"

"Stay at home with me, dear Willie, oh stay at home with me
And the very best cock in all the roost, your own supper will be"
"For all your cock's and all your roosts, I value not a pin
And I'll away to fair Margaret's bower before the night comes in"

"Well if you go to fair Margaret's bower without the leave of me
In the deepest part of the Clyde water, then drowned you shall be"
"Oh the good steed that I ride upon cost me thrice thirty pounds
And I'll put trust in his swift feet to take me safe and sound"

And he's ridden o'er yon high, high hill and down yon dowey den
And the rushing of the Clyde water would fear five hundred men
"Oh roaring Clyde, you roar so loud, your streams are wondrous strong
Make me a wreck as I come back but spare me as I'm going"

Instrumental

And when he's got to fair Margaret's bower he's turled low on the pin
"Rise up, rise up me May Margaret, rise up an let me in."
"Oh who is that at me bower door calling May Margaret's name"
"Oh it's only her first love little Willie this night come to her home"

"Well, open up your gates this night; oh open and let me in
For me boots are full of the Clyde water and I'm frozen to the skin"
"Me barns are full of corn, Willie, and the stables full of hay
And me bowers are full of gentlemen and they won't remove til day"

"Well, fare thee well then me May Margaret, fare thee well and adieu
For I have won my mother's own curse by coming this night to you"
And he's ridden o'er yon high, high hill and down yon dowey den
And the rushing of the Clyde water took Willie's hat from him

And he's leaned him o'er his saddle bow to catch his hat again
And the rushing of the Clyde water took Willie's cane from him
And he's leaned him o'er his saddle bow to catch his cane by force
And the rushing of the Clyde water took Willie from his horse

The very hour this young man sank into the part so deep
Up and awoke miss May Margaret out from her dreary sleep
"Come here, come here me mother dear and read to me my dream
I dreamt my love was at our gate and no one let him in."

"Lie there, lie there me May Margaret, lie there and take your rest
For since your love was at our gate it's but two quarters past."
Nimbly, nimbly rose she up unto the water's brim
And the louder that this young girl cried, the louder grew the wind

The very first step that she went in, she's up unto her feet
And it's "Oh and alas," this young girl cried,
"Your water's wondrous deep"
The very next step that she went in, she's up unto her knees
Cried she, "I would go further still, if my true lover could see."

The very next step that she went in, she's up unto her chin
And in the deepest part of the Clyde water she found sweet William in
She said, "You've had a cruel mother, Willie, and I have had another
And now we sleep in the Clyde water like sister and like brother"
Saying, "You've had a cruel mother, Willie, and I have had another
And now we sleep in the Clyde water like sister and like brother"

credits

from And Then I'm Going Home 2001, released May 9, 2001
Aubrey Atwater: vocals, guitar
Elwood Donnelly: vocals, harmonica

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Atwater-Donnelly Warren, Rhode Island

Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly, present delightful programs of traditional American and Celtic folk songs, a capella pieces, old-time gospel songs, dance tunes, and original works, blending gorgeous harmonies with guitar, Appalachian mountain dulcimer, mandolin, tin whistle, harmonica, banjo, bones, spoons, limberjacks, and Appalachian clog dancing and French Canadian footwork. ... more

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