“Where have ye been all the day, my own dear darling boy?
Where have ye been all the day, my own dear comfort and joy?”
“I have been to my stepmother, make my bed mummy do,
Make my bed mummy do.”
“What did she give you for your supper, …?”
“I got fish and I got broth, …”
“Where did she get the fish that she give you?”
“Hedges sought and ditches caught.”
“What did you do with your fishbones?”
“I gave them to my greyhound.”
“Tell me what did your greyhound do?”
“There he swelled and there he died.”
“I fear that she does you deadly wrong.”
“She took me in but she did me slay.”
“What will you leave to your mother?”
“I'll leave you me house and land.”
“What will you leave your stepmother, my own dear darling boy?
What will you leave your stepmother, my own dear comfort and joy?”
“Bind her with rope and there let her hang with the halter that hangs on the tree
For poisoning of me.”