The Cruel Brother Songtext
von Battlefield Band

There were three ladies played at ba′
Hey wi' the rose and the linsey o
But a knight came by, played o′er them a'
Doon by the greenwood sidey o

This knight bowed low tae a' the three
Hey wi′ the rose and the linsey o
But tae the youngest he bent his knee
Doon by the greenwood sidey o

O lady fair, gie me your hand
Hey wi′ the rose and the linsey o
And I'll mak ye lady o′er all my land
Doon by the greenwood sidey o

Sir knight ere you my favour win
Hey wi' the rose and the linsey o
Ye maun gain consent o′er all my kin
Doon by the greenwood sidey o


He gained consent fae her parents dear
Hey wi' the rose and the linsey o
And likewise fae her sisters fair
Doon by the greenwood sidey o

He′s gained consent o'er all her kin
Hey wi' the rose and the linsey o
He forgot tae speak tae her brother John
Doon by the greenwood sidey o

When the wedding day was come
Hey wi′ the rose and the linsey o
This knight would take his bonnie bride home
Doon by the greenwood sidey o

Her mother led her through the close
Hey wi′ the rose and the linsey o
And her brother John stood her on her horse
Doon by the greenwood sidey o

He took a knife baith long and sharp
Hey wi' the rose and the linsey o
And he stabbed the bonnie bride tae her heart
Doon by the greenwood sidey o


Lead me tae yon high high hill
Hey wi′ the rose and the linsey o
And I'll lie doon and I′ll mak my will
Doon by the greenwood sidey o

And what will you gie tae your brother John
Hey wi' the rose and the linsey o
The gallows tree for tae hang him on
Doon by the greenwood sidey o

And what will you gie to your brother John′s wife
Hey wi' the rose and the linsey o
The wilderness tae end her life
Doon by the greenwood sidey o