Cruel Lincoln from Anemoian by Tithing

Says the lord to the lady, “I am now going out,
Beware of cruel Lincoln whilst I am gone out.”

“What cares I for Lincoln or any of his kin,
My doors are all bolted, my windows are pinned.”

As soon as the lord had got out of sight
Cruel Lincoln crept in at the middle of the night.

Got and pinched my sweet baby which caused it to cry,
Whilst the nurse sat a-singing, “Oh, hush-a-lullaby.”

“Oh nurse, oh nurse, how sound do you sleep,
Whilst my little baby most bitterly does weep?”

“Oh Lady, dear Lady, come and take it in your lap,
For I cannot quiet it with milk nor with pap.”

The lady came down, not thinking any harm.
Cruel Lincoln stood a-waiting for to catch her in his arms.

“Oh Lincoln, cruel Lincoln, spare my life for one hour.
You shall have my daughter Betsy, who is thy blood's flower.”

“Go and fetch your daughter Betsy. She will do very well
To hold up this silver basin for to catch her mother's blood.”

There was blood in the kitchen, there was blood in the hall;
There was blood in the parlour where the lady did fall.

As soon as the lord had heard what was done,
Tears from his eyes gently flowed.

Saying, “The nurse shall be hanged on the gallows so high.
Cruel Lincoln shall be burned in the fire close by.”

• Acoustic
• Folk
• Psyche Folk
• dark folk
• neofolk
• Vancouver