There were three men come
from over the way
Oh, the rose and the lily -o
And these three men came after one lady
As the rose was so sweetly grown
The first man came, he was all in white
He asked her if she'd be his delight
The next man came and
he was all in green
Asked her if she would be his queen
Oh, the rose and the lily
Oh, the rose and the lily,
As the rose is so sweetly grown,
So the lily is so sweetly sung.
The first man came,
he was all in white,
I asked her if she'd be his delight.
The last man came
and he was dressed in red,
I asked her nicely if she would wear,
Yes, I have asked your father, dear,
And also her that did you bear.
And I have asked your sister, Anne,
Though I've never met
your brother John.
Oh, the rose and the lily
Oh, the rose and the lily
As the rose is so sweetly grown
So the lily is so sweetly sung
On the road as they rode along
There they met her brother John
Oh, she stood low to give him kisses sweet
He, to her heart, did a dagger meet
I wish I were on yonder stile
There I'd sit and I'd bleed a while
I wish I were up on yonder hill
For there I'd sit and I'd make my will
All the rose and the lily,
all of the rose and the lily
As the rose is so sweetly grown,
so that the lily is so sweetly sung
What would you give to your father, dear?
This gallant horse that does me bear
What would you give to your mother,
dear?
This wedding dress that I do wear
What would you give your mother, dear?
Belts, running dress, that I'd wear
No, she must wash it very, very clean
For my heart's blood stays in every seam
On the rose, on the rose of the lily,
As the rose is so sweetly grown,
So are the leaves, so sweetly stoned.
What would you give to your sister Anne,
My good gold ring and my
feathered thong
What would you give to your brother John
A tall, tall tree to hang him on?
What would you give to your brother John
A rope and gallows to hang him on?
What would you give to your brother's wife
A widow's beat and a peaceful life?
Oh the rose and the lily
Oh the rose and the lily
As the rose is so sweetly grown,
So the lily is so sweetly sung.
Oh, the rose and the lily,
Oh, the rose and the lily,
As the rose is so sweetly grown,
So the lake is so sweetly sung.