“For the bridge, the broad bridge, I sorrow much more,
For oh! my five sisters together fell o’er.”
Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?
“I think of the stream, and I sorrow much more,
My sisters sank in it and never rose more.”
Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?
“My dearest, my dearest, cast sorrow aside,
Before thee shall twelve of my merry men ride.”
Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?
“Before thee shall twelve of my merry men speed,
And I will myself hold the reins of thy steed.”
Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?
And when they arrived in the green forest shade
A hart they beheld at gold tables that played.
Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?
All stopped at the strange brown hart to take heed,
And allowed the young bride by herself to proceed.
Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?
And as the broad bridge she went galloping o’er,
Stumbled her steed on his golden shoes four.
Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?
Golden shoes four, each with golden nails three,
And the bride was cast into the boiling sea.
Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?
Sir Peter he turned at her terrified cry,
But the bride she had sunk ’neath the waters high.
Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?
He called to his men as their hands they wring:
“Bring quickly my harp with the golden string!”
Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?