Riddles Wisely Expounded (Child 1)

Riddles Wisely Expounded (Child 1) - Anaïs Mitchell/Jefferson Hamer

There were three sisters in the north

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

They lived in their mother's house

And you'll beguile a lady soon

There came a man one evening late

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He came knocking at the gate

And you'll beguile a lady soon

The eldest sister let him in

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

And locked the door with a silver pin

And you'll beguile a lady soon

The second sister made his bed

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

And laid soft pillows neath his head

And you'll beguile a lady soon

The youngest sister fair and bright

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

She lay beside him all through the night

And you'll beguile a lady soon

And in the morning come the day

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She said young man will you marry me

And you'll beguile a lady soon

He said yes I'll marry thee

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

If you can answer this to me

And you'll beguile a lady soon

What is greener than the grass

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

And what is smoother than the glass

And you'll beguile a lady soon

What is louder than a horn

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

And what is sharper than a thorn

And you'll beguile a lady soon

What is deeper than the sea

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

And what is longer than the way

And you'll beguile a lady soon

Envy's greener than the grass

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Flattery's smoother than the glass

And you'll beguile a lady soon

Rumor's louder than a horn

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Slander's sharper than a thorn

And you'll beguile a lady soon

Regret is deeper than the sea

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

But love is longer than the way

The eldest sister rang the bell

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She rang it from the highest hill

And you'll beguile a lady soon

The second sister made the gown

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She sewed it of the silk so fine

And you'll beguile a lady soon

The youngest sister true and wise

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

They've made of her a lovely bride

And you'll beguile a lady soon

And now fair maids I bid adieu

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

These parting words I'll leave with you

And you'll beguile a lady soon

May you always constant prove

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Unto the one that you do love