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Northlands

from Ghost Story by Fern Maddie

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about

This song is adapted from the traditional ballad Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight, Roud 21, Child 4. Fern learned the tune from the singing of Sam Lee.

lyrics

Well there was a young man, came from the northlands 
And he came a-wooing me 
And he said he would take me to the northlands 
And there he would marry me 

“Go and fetch me some of your father’s gold 
And some of your mother’s fee
And two of the best horses from out your stable door 
Where they're standing but thirty-and-three”

So she’s mounted her on a milk-white steed
And he on a dapple grey 
And they’ve rode till they came to the broad seashore 
Was three hours before break of day 

“Oh, light off, light off, your milk-white steed
And deliver it unto me 
For it’s six pretty maidens I here have drowned
And the seventh one surely will be thee” 

“Oh take off, take off your silken gown 
And give it unto me 
For I think it is too fine and gay 
To rot all in the salt sea” 

“If I must take off my silken gown 
Then turn your back on me 
For it is not right for a man such as you
A naked young woman to see”

So he has turned his back on her 
To watch the leaves so green
And she has grabbed him 'round the middle so small
And tumbled him into the deep 

And he swam low and he swam high 
And he swam till he came to the side
“For one pull of your hand, my pretty fair one,
I swear I will make you my bride”

“Lie there, lie there, you false-hearted young man 
Lie there instead of me 
For it’s six pretty maidens, oh, you here have drowned, 
And the seventh one shall not be me 
No, the seventh one has drowned thee.”

credits

from Ghost Story, released June 1, 2022
English and Scottish trad.
Arrangement, Vocal, Guitar, Bouzouki,
Fiddle, Bowed Banjo, Synth by F.M.
Bass by Colin McCaffrey
Percussion by Noah Zacharuk

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about

Fern Maddie image

Fern Maddie Vermont

fern maddie is an old-time balladeer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter. she lives in the woods of northern vermont (n'dakinna) where she makes music and tends goats.

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