The English and Scottish popular ballads, volume 1 (of 5)

by Unknown

4
Says John to William, Take off thy shirt,
And tear it from gore to gore,
And wrap it round your bleeding heart,
And the blood will pour no more.'

5
So John took off his shirt,
And tore it from gore to gore,
And wrapped it round his bleeding heart,
And the blood came pouring more.

6
'What shall I tell your dear father,
When I go home to-night?'
'You'll tell him I'm dead and in my grave,
For the truth must be told.'

7
'What shall I tell your dear mother,
When I go home to-night?'
'You'll tell her I'm dead and in my grave,
For the truth must be told.'

8
'How came this blood upon your knife?
My son, come tell to me;'
'It is the blood of a rabbit I have killed,
O mother, pardon me.'

9
'The blood of a rabbit couldnt be so pure,
My son, come tell to me:'
'It is the blood of a squirrel I have killed,
O mother, pardon me.'

10
'The blood of a squirrel couldnt be so pure,
My son, come tell to me:'
'It is the blood of a brother I have killed,
O mother, pardon me.'

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[A].

1². Var. to the chase.