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Traditional |
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The elf-knight sits on yonder hill |
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Fine flowers in the valley |
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He blows his horn both loud and shrill |
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As the rose is blown |
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He blows it East, he blows it West |
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Fine flowers in the valley |
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He blows it where he liketh best |
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As the rose is blown |
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Lady Isabel sits a-sewing |
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Fine flowers in the valley |
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When she heard the elf-knight's horn a-blowing |
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As the rose is blown |
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'Would I had that horn a-blowing' |
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Fine flowers in the valley |
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'And yon elf-knight for to sleep in my bosom' |
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As the rose is blown |
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Scarcely had she these words spoken |
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Fine flowers in the valley |
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When in at the window the elf-knight's broken |
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As the rose is blown |
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'It's a very strange matter, fair maid' said he |
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Fine flowers in the valley |
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'I cannot blow my horn, but you call on me' |
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As the rose is blown |
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'But will you go to the greenwood side?" |
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Fine flowers in the valley |
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'If you will not go, I'll cause you to ride' |
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As the rose is blown |
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He leapt on his horse and she on another |
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Fine flowers in the valley |
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And they rode on to the greenwood together |
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As the rose is blown |
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'Light down, light down, Isabel' said he |
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Fine flowers in the valley |
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'For we're come to the place where you are to die' |
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As the rose is blown |
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'It's seven kings daughters, here have I slain' |
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Fine flowers in the valley |
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'And you shall be the eighth of them' |
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As the rose is blown |
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'Sit down a-while, lay your head on my knee' |
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Fine flowers in the valley |
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'That we may rest before I die' |
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As the rose is blown |
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She stroked him so fast the nearer he did creep |
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Fine flowers in the valley |
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And with a small charm, she's lulled him to sleep |
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As the rose is blown |
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With his own sword-belt, so fast she's bound him |
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Fine flowers in the valley |
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With his own dagger so sore she's stabbed him |
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As the rose is blown |
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'If seven kings daughters here have you slain' |
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Fine flowers in the valley |
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'Then lie you here, a husband to them all' |
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As the rose is blown |