Prince Heathen
As performed by Frankie Armstrong
on her album, Songs and Balads
Young Margret sat in her tower, high and she's as pale as a milk white swan
"Oh, mother is it a thunder cloud-
Or a flight of ravens in the air;
Or a black army with a silver flag
And a ragged man amongst them there?"
In there come Prince Heathen then
saying "Good day mother-in-law to you;
And where will I find that sweet little bride
with hands as soft as morning dew?"
Back at him the ring she flung
She cries, "Of you I have no fear
I'll call your wolfhound seven times
rather than call you husband dear
And when he set her free again
her maidenhead from her he's tain'
"Oh, bony maid, will you weep now?"
"Ya heathenish dog, no yet for you!"
"Come give my lady of the salt, salt meat
and bitter viniger for her brew."
"Oh, bony maid, will you weep now?"
"Ya heathenish dog, no yet for you!"
"A drink! A drink, Prince Heathen!" she said
"Even if it's from the muddy well poor!"
"Never a drink! Will you weep now?
"Ya heathenish dog, no yet for you!"
"Ride slower, slower, Prince Heathen" she says
"Already the blood has filled me shoe!"
"Oh, bony maid, will you weep now?"
"Ya heathenish dog, no yet for you!"
"Ride slower, slower, Prince Heathen" she says
For the road it sorely hurts me knee
"Oh, bony maid, will you weep now?"
"Ya heathenish dog, no yet for thee!"
"Oh, how can I wrap me sweet little babe-
Seein as I've nothing to roll him in"
He give to her his saddle blanket
"That'll roll him from cheek to chin"
"I'm weeping for me own little son,
your blanket's too rough to roll him in
Ever alas the day I rue
That ever I met such rougues as you!"
She says "When violets bloom on the window pane
and roses grow on the kitchen floor
it's then that I'll return again
and be your bride forever more."