Traditional & Folk Songs with lyrics & midi music www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
Willie o' Winsbury 
Willie o' Winsbury 
The king had been a prisoner And a prisoner long in Spain And Willie of the Winsbury Has lain long with his daughter at home 
"What ails you, what ails you, my daughter Janet Why you look so pale and wan Have you had any sore sickness Or yet been sleeping with a man?" 
"I have not had any sore sickness Nor yet been sleeping with a man It is for you, my father dear, For biding so long in Spain" 
"Cast off, cast off your berry-brown gown Stand naked on the stane That I may know you by your shape If you be a maiden or nane" 
So she cast off her berry-brown gown Stood naked on the stone Her apron was low, her haunches round Her face was pale and wan 
"Was it with a lord or a duke or a knight Or a man of birth and fame Or was it with one of my serving men That's lately come out of Spain?" 
"It wasn't with a lord or a duke or a knight Nor a man of birth and fame But it was with Willie of Winsbury I could bide no longer alain" 
The king has called on his merry men all By thirty and by three Saying "Fetch me this Willie of Winsbury For hanged he shall be" 
But when he came before the king 
He was clad all in the red silk His hair was like the strands of gold His skin was as white as the milk 
"It is no wonder," said the king "That my daughter's love you did win For if I was a woman, as I am a man My bedfellow you would have been" 
"Now will you marry my daughter Janet By the truth of your right hand? Will you marry my daughter Janet I'll make you lord of all my land" 
"Oh yes, I'll marry your daughter Janet By the truth of my right hand Oh yes I'll marry your daughter Janet But I'll not be the lord of your land" 
He's mounted her on a milk-white steed Himself on a dapple grey He has made her the lady of as much land As she will ride in a long summer's day 
Child #100 tune "WILLIWIN" from English Folk Songs, Sharp recorded by Cliff Haslam and Dick Gaughan SOF