Glasgerion

Glasgerion was so fine a harper
He could play the bark from off a tree
He's played in the castle hall
And played them all asleep

But wide awake was the young countess
For love she spoke to him full soon
"Come join me here at the break of dawn
And lay with me till noon."

He's rode back to his serving man, says
"Wake me, John, before first light
For the countess bids me join her then
And stretch out by her side."

He has gone and the cocks have crown
And Glasgerion lies fast asleep
But John's rode up to the fair countess
The appointment for to keep

"How tangled is your yellow hair
[How changes him in this?]," said she
"How roughly feel your harper's hands
To enjoy my fair body."

He's rode back to his master's house
As fast as any horse could run
He's shook Glasgerion awake
Who's cursed the morning sun

Glasgerion rode to the young countess
And tapped so gently at the door
"What brings you back again?" says she
"How come you back once more?

"Is it that you've left behind
A silken scarf or a leather glove
Or are you back again so soon
To taste more of my love?"

Glasgerion swore a bloody oath
"By oak and ash and bitter thorn
I was never here before
Since the time that I was born."

"Then must it be your serving man
So cruelly has deceived me
And woe that the lust of the ruffian boy
Should [go through?] my body."

Glasgerion's rode back to his home, says
"John, my lad, come here to me!"
And he has hanged that ruffian boy
As high as the willow tree

Glasgerion was so fine a harper
He could play the fish out of the sea
He's played on the grave of his serving man
Who's served him treacherously