What's the blood on the point of your sword?
O Son David, my Son David,
What's the blood on the point of your sword?
Promise, tell me true.
That's the blood of my grey mare
O Lady Mother, my Lady Mother,
That's the blood of my grey mare
She would not rule by me.
Your grey mare's blood was never so red
O Son David, my Son David,
Your grey mare's blood was never so red
Promise, tell me true.
Son David June Tabor
That's the blood of my hawking hound
O Lady Mother, my Lady Mother,
That's the blood of my hawking hound
She would not rule by me.
Your hawking hound's blood was never so clear
O Son David, my Son David,
Your hawking hound's blood was never so clear
Promise, tell me true.
That's the blood of my brother John
O Lady Mother, my Lady Mother,
That's the blood of my brother John
He drew his sword to me.
What did you fall out about?
O Son David, my Son David,
It's all for a little holly bush
That'll never grow to a tree.
I'll set my foot on a bottomless boat
O Lady Mother, my Lady Mother,
Set my foot on a bottomless boat,
Sail upon the sea.
When will you come back again?
O Son David, my Son David
When will you come back again?
Promise, tell me true.
When the Sun and Moon meet in yonder glen
O Lady Mother, my Lady Mother,
When the Sun and Moon meet in yonder glen,
And that will never be.