Willie Of Winsbury

[Verse 1]
The king has been a prisoner
And a prisoner long in Spain
And Willie of the Winsbury
Has lain long with his daughter at home

[Verse 2]
What ails, what ails, my daughter?
That you look so pale and wan
Or have you had the sickness
Or been sleeping with a man

[Verse 3]
Cast off, cast off your berry-brown gown
Stand naked on the stone
So I may know you by your shape
You can be a maiden or no

[Verse 4]
Was it with a lord, a duke or knight
Or a man of birth and fame
Or was it with one of my serving men
Lately out of Spain?

[Verse 5]
Now the king has called on his merry men
By thirty and by three
Fetch me this Willie of Winsbury
For hanged he shall be

[Verse 6]
But when he came the king before
He was clad all in red silk
His hair was like hooden strands
His skin was as white as milk, oh

[Verse 7]
"It is no wonder" said the king
That my daughter's love you did win
For if I were a woman
My bedfellow you would have been

[Verse 8]
Oh, will you marry my daughter
By the truth of your right hand
Oh yes, I will marry your daughter
But I'll not be the lord of your land

[Verse 9]
He's mounted her on a milk-white steed
And himself on a dapple grey
He made her the lady of as much land
She shall ride in a long summer's day