Riddles Wisely Expounded (Child 1)

Lyrics

There were three sisters in the north Lay the bend to the bonny broom And they lived in their mother's house And you'll beguile a lady soon There came a man one evening late Lay the bend to the bonny broom He came knocking at the gate And you'll beguile a lady soon The eldest sister let him Lay the bend to the bonny broom And locked the door with a silver pin And you'll beguile a lady soon The second sister made his bed Lay the bend to the bonny broom And laid soft pillows 'neath his head And you'll beguile a lady soon The youngest sister, fair and bright Lay the bend to the bonny broom She lay beside him all through the night And you'll beguile a lady soon And in the morning, come the day Lay the bend to the bonny broom She said "Young man, will you marry me?" And you'll beguile a lady soon He said "Yes, I'll marry thee Lay the bend to the bonny broom If you can answer this for me: And you'll beguile a lady soon What is greener than the grass? Lay the bend to the bonny broom And what is smoother than a glass? And you'll beguile a lady soon What is louder than a horn? Lay the bend to the bonny broom And what is sharper than a thorn? And you'll beguile a lady soon What is deeper than the sea? Lay the bend to the bonny broom And what is longer than the way?" And you'll beguile a lady soon "Envy's greener than the grass Lay the bend to the bonny broom Flattery's smoother than the glass And you'll beguile a lady soon Rumour's louder than the horn Lay the bend to the bonny broom Slander's sharper than the thorn And you'll beguile a lady soon Regret is deeper than the sea Lay the bend to the bonny broom But love is longer than the way" And you'll beguile a lady soon The elder sister rang the bell Lay the bend to the bonny broom She rang it from the highest hill And you'll beguile a lady soon The second sister made the gown Lay the bend to the bonny broom She sewed it of a silk so fine And you'll beguile a lady soon The younger sister true and wise Lay the bend to the bonny broom They made of her a lovely bride And you'll beguile a lady soon And now fair maids are bid adieu Lay the bend to the bonny broom These parting words I'll leave with you And you'll beguile a lady soon May you always constant prove Lay the bend to the bonny broom Unto the one that you do love And you'll beguile a lady soon