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Oh, father, oh father, come riddle to me,
Come riddle it all as one,
And tell me whether to marry Fair Ellen
Or bring the brown girl home?

The brown girl she has house and land,
Fair Ellender she has none,
So therefore I charge you with my blessing
Go bring the brown girl home’.

He got on his horse and he rode and he rode,
He rode ’til he came to her hall,
And no one so ready as Fair Ellen herself
To rise and welcome him in.

What news have you brought unto me, Lord Thomas?
What news have you brought unto me?
I’ve come to ask you to my wedding,
A sorrowful wedding to be’.

Oh mother, dear mother, should I go, should I stay?’
Fair child, do as you please,
But i’m afraid if you go you’ll never return
To see your mother any more

She turned around all dressed in white
Her sisters dressed in green,
And every town that they rode through
They took her to be some queen.

They rode and they rode ’til they came to the hall,
She pulled on the bell and it rang
And no one so ready as Lord Thomas himself
To rise and welcome her in.

Then taking Fair Ellender by the hand
and leading her through the hall
saying ‘fifty gay ladies are here today
but here is the flower of all’.

The brown girl she was standing by
With knives ground keen and sharp,
And between the long ribs and the short,
She pierced Fair Ellender’s heart.

Lord Thomas he was standing by
With knives ground keen and sharp,
And between the long ribs and the short
He pierced his own bride’s heart.

Then placing the handle against the wall,
The point against his breast,
Saying, this is the ending of three true lovers,
God sends us all to rest’.

Oh father, oh father, go dig my grave,
Go dig it large, wide and deep,
And place Fair Ellender in my arms
And the brown girl at my feet.