Three fine maids did play at ball, ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay, Three fine maids did play at ball, Came three lords and wooed them all, ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay.
The first young lord was dressed in yellow, Il-e-o-lay and a lullay gay, The first young lord was dressed in yellow, 'Come, fair maid, and be my marrow.' ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay.
The second lord was dressed in red, ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay, The second lord was dressed in red, The last of the lords was dressed in green, 'Come, fair maid, and be my queen.' ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'You must ask my father dear,' ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay, 'You must ask my father dear, Mother, too, who did me bear.' ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'I have asked them one and all,' ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay, 'I have asked them one and all, Save Sister Anne and Brother John.' ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
Father dear did lead her down, ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay, Father dear did lead her down, Mother, sister kissed her crown. ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
John did place her on her steed ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay, John did place her on her steed Ere he did the cruel deed. ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'Kiss me, Sister, ere you part.' ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay, 'Kiss me, Sister, ere you part.' As he kissed, he stabbed her heart. ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'Would that I were on yonder stile,' ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay, 'Would that I were on yonder stile, That I might rest and bleed a while.' ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'Carry me to yon little green hill,' ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay, 'Carry me to yon little green hill, That I might rest and make my will.' ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'What will you give your father dear?' ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay, 'What will you give your father dear?' 'The milk-white steed that carried me here.' ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'What will you give your mother own?' ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay, 'What will you give your mother own?' 'She may have my blood-stained gown.' ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,
'What will you give your brother John?' ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay, 'What will you give your brother John?' 'A gallow's pin to hang him on!' ll-e-o-lay and a lullay gay,