Lady Isabel sat at her window a-sewing
(Aye, as the gowans grow gay)
When she heard an elf-knight on his bright horn a-blowing
(On the first morning in May)

Oh, I wish I'd that horn that I hear blow so clearly
And yonder elf-knight for to love me so dearly

This maiden had scarcely the fatal words spoken
When in at her window the elf-knight has broken

"It is a strange matter, fair maiden," said he
"I canna blaw horn but you call out to me"

"But will you gang down unto yon greenwoodside
Come take a fair horse and together we'll ride"

He's leapt on a horse, and she on another
And they have gone down to the greenwood together

"Light down ye, light down ye, fair maiden," said he
"We are come to the place where ye are to die."

"Hae mercy, hae mercy, Sir Elf-Knight on me
Till aince more my father and mother I see"

"Well, seven King's daughters here have I slain
And ye'll be the eighth will forever remain"

"Come sit down awhile, rest your head on my knee
That we may take rest here before that I die"

And she stroked his dark head and she whispered sae sweet
That the elf-knight was soon lulled fast, fast asleep

And she's taen his ain sword-belt & bound him around
And with his ain dirk struck the fiend his death wound

"Well, if seven King's daughters were slain here by ye
Then lie here and keep them all good company!"

words Traditional/adapted from Child #4 by Lisa Theriot
music by Lisa Theriot

© 1997 Raven Boy Music