FCG
The king has been a prisoner,
AmGF
And a prisoner long in Spain,
CAmEm
And Willie of the Winsbury
FCF
Has lain long with his daughter at home.
FCG
"What ails you, what ails you, my daughter Janet,
AmGF
That you look so pale and wan?
CAmEm
Oh, have you had any sore sickness
FCF
Or yet been sleeping with a man?"
FCG
"No, I have not had any sore sickness,
AmGF
Nor yet been sleeping with a man.
CAmEm
But it is for you, my father dear,
FCF
For biding so long in Spain."
FCG
"Cast off, cast off your berry-brown gown,
AmGF
And stand naked upon the stone,
CAmEm
That I may know you by your shape,
FCF
If you be a maiden or none."
FCG
And she's cast off her berry-brown gown
AmGF
And stood naked upon the stone
CAmEm
Her apron was low and her haunches were round,
FCF
Her skin was pale and wan.
FCG
"Oh, was it with a lord or a duke or a knight,
AmGF
Or a man of birth and fame,
CAmEm
Or was it with one of my serving men
FCF
Who's lately come out of Spain?"
FCG
"No, it wasn't with a lord or a duke or a knight,
AmGF
Nor a man of birth and fame,
CAmEm
But it was with Willie of Winsbury,
FCF
I could bide no longer alone."
FCG
Now the king has called on his merry men all,
AmGF
By thirty and by three,
CAmEm
Says, "Fetch me this Willie of Winsbury,
FCF
For hanged he shall be."
[- Instrumental verse -]
FCG
But when he came the king before,
AmGF
He was clad all in the red silk.
CAmEm
His hair was like the golden strands,
FCF
His skin was as white as the milk.
FCG
And "It is no wonder," said the king,
AmGF
"That my daughter's love you did win.
CAmEm
For if I were a woman, as I am a man,
FCF
My bedfellow you would have been."
FCG
"Oh will you marry my daughter Janet,
AmGF
By the truth of your right hand?
CAmEm
Oh, will you marry my daughter Janet?
FCF
I'll make you the lord of my land."
FCG
"Oh yes, I will marry your daughter Janet.
AmGF
By the truth of my right hand.
CAmEm
Why yes, I will marry your daughter Janet,
FCF
But I'll not be the lord of your land."
FCG
And he's mounted her on a milk-white steed,
AmGF
And himself on a dapple grey.
CAmEm
He has made her the lady of as much land
FCF
As she shall ride on a warm summer's day.