The Greenwood Sidie (The Cruel Mother)

Lyrics

[Verse 1] There was a lady lived in York On-a-lee an lonee Fell in love with her father's clerk Down by the Greenwood Sidie-o [Verse 2] She loved him up, she loved him down On-a-lee and lonee Loved him 'til he filled her arms Down by the Greenwood Sidie-o [Verse 3] She leaned her back against an oak On-a-lee and lonee First it bend, and then it broke Down by the Greenwood Sidie-o [Verse 4] She leaned her back against a thorn On-a-lee and lonee There she had two fine babes born Down by the Greenwood Sidie-o [Verse 5] She took out her wee pеn knife On-a-lee and lonee There shе took those sweet babes' life Down by the Greenwood Sidie-o [Verse 6] She wiped the blade against her shoe On-a-lee and lonee The more she rubbed the redder it grew Down by the Greenwood Sidie-o [Verse 7] She went back to her father's hall On-a-lee and lonee Saw two babes a playin' at ball Down by the Greenwood Sidie-o [Verse 8] Oh, babes! Oh, babes! If you were mine On-a-lee and lonee I'd dress you up in scarlet fine Down by the Greenwood Sidie-o [Verse 9] Oh, Mother! Oh, Mother! When we were yours On-a-lee and lonee Scarlet was our own heart's blood Down by the Greenwood Sidie-o [Verse 10] Oh, babes! Oh, babes! It's Heaven for you On-a-lee and lonee Mother! Oh, Mother! It's Hell for you Down by the Greenwood Sidie-o