Lyrics The Rose and the Lily - Eliza Carthy

There were three men come from over the way
Oh, the rose and the lily, oh!
And these three men came after one lady
As the rose was so sweetly grown

The first man came, he was all in white
He asked her if she'd be his delight
The next man came and he was all in green
Asked her if she would be his queen

Oh, the rose and the lily!
Oh, the rose and the lily!
As the rose is so sweetly grown
So the lily is so sweetly sown

The first man came, he was all in white
Asked her if she'd be his delight
The last man came and he was dressed in red
Asked her nicely if she would wed

"Yes, I have asked your father dear,"
"And also her that did you bear,"
"And I have asked your sister, Anne,"
"Though I've never met your brother, John."

Oh, the rose and the lily!
Oh, the rose and the lily!
As the rose is so sweetly grown
So the lily is so sweetly sown

On the road as they rode alone
There they met her brother, John
Oh, she stooped low to give him kisses sweet
He to her heart did a dagger meet

"I wish I were on yonder stile,"
"There I'd sit and I'd bleed a while,"
"I wish I were up on yonder hill,"
"For there I'd sit and I'd make my will."

Oh, the rose and the lily!
Oh, the rose and the lily!
As the rose is so sweetly grown
So the lily is so sweetly sown

What would you give to your father dear?
"This gallant horse that does me bear."
What would you give to your mother dear?
"This wedding dress that I do wear."

What would you give your mother dear?
"This wedding dress that I do wear,"
"Though she must wash it very, very clean,"
"For my heart's blood sticks in every seam."

Oh, the rose and the lily!
Oh, the rose and the lily!
As the rose is so sweetly grown
So the lily is so sweetly sown

What would you give to your sister, Anne?
"My good gold ring and my feathered fan."
What would you give to your brother, John?
"A tall, tall tree to hang him on."

What would you give to your brother, John?
"A rope and gallows to hang him on."
What would you give to your brother's wife?
"A widow's wheat and a peaceful life."

Oh, the rose and the lily!
Oh, the rose and the lily!
As the rose is so sweetly grown
So the lily is so sweetly sown

Oh, the rose and the lily!
Oh, the rose and the lily!
As the rose is so sweetly grown
So the lily is so sweetly sown