John of Hazelgreen by The Witches of Elswick Lyrics

An old knight rode one summer's day
Down by the greenwood side
And there he spied a fair young maid
And all alone she cried

As he drew near there unto her
To learn what this could mean;
Her lamentation it was all
For John of Hazelgreen

“You're welcome home, my fair young one
You're welcome home with me;
And you may wed my eldest son
A bold young man is he.”

“I would not wed your eldest son
If he werе lord or king;
I ne'er intend to bе the bride of none
Save John of Hazelgreen

“For he is tall, his shoulders broad
The fairest of the king;
His hair hangs down in links of gold
My John of Hazelgreen.”
He's drawn her up unto his steed
And they rode into town;
Up jumped bold John of Hazelgreen
To lift his lady down

Three times he's kissed her ruby lips
Three times he's kissed her chin;
He's ta'en her by the lily-white hand
To lead his lady in

Her tears were dry, her sorrow gone
But a surprise had been
To learn the old knight's eldest son
Was John of Hazelgreen

“If I should ever thee forsake
May Heaven forsake me;
And cast me in the brimstone lake
For all eternity.”