Two Sisters

As Sung By Judy Cook
There was a lady who lived in York
Lay the bent to the bonnie broom
Two daughters were the babes she bore
Fa la la la la la la la la la

As one grew brighter as is the sun
Lay the bent to the bonnie broom
So darker grew the elder one
Fa la la la la la la la la la

A knight came riding to the lady's door
Lay the bent to the bonnie broom
He'd traveled far to be the wooer
Fa la la la la la la la la la

He courted the elder with gloves & rings
Lay the bent to the bonnie broom
But loved the younger above all things
Fa la la la la la la la la la

O sister come and walk with me
Lay the bent to the bonnie broom
And watch the ships sail on the sea
Fa la la la la la la la la la

And as they stood by the windy shore
Lay the bent to the bonnie broom
The dark girl threw her sister over
Fa la la la la la la la la la

Sometimes she sank, sometimes she swam
Lay the bent to the bonnie broom
Saying, "Sister, reach to me your hand!"
Fa la la la la la la la la la

"O sister, sister, please let me live"
Lay the bent to the bonnie broom
"And all that's mine to you I'll give"
Fa la la la la la la la la la

"It's your own true love I will have, and more"
Lay the bent to the bonnie broom
"But you shall never come to shore."
Fa la la la la la la la la la

In death she floated like a swan
Lay the bent to the bonnie broom
The salt sea bore her body on.
Fa la la la la la la la la la

Two minstrals were walking along the strand
Lay the bent to the bonnie broom
They saw the maid float close to land
Fa la la la la la la la la la

They made a harp out of her breast bone
Lay the bent to the bonnie broom
Whose song would melt a heart of stone
Fa la la la la la la la la la

They took three strands of her yellow hair
Lay the bent to the bonnie broom
And with it strung their harp so rare
Fa la la la la la la la la la

They carried it to her father's hall
Lay the bent to the bonnie broom
To play and sing before them all
Fa la la la la la la la la la

But when they placed it upon the stone
Lay the bent to the bonnie broom
The harp began to play alone
Fa la la la la la la la la la

The first string sang, a doleful sound,
Lay the bent to the bonnie broom
The bride her younger sister drowned
Fa la la la la la la la la la

The second string, it then replied
Lay the bent to the bonnie broom
In terror sits the dark haired bride.
Fa la la la la la la la la la

The final string sang beneath the bow
Lay the bent to the bonnie broom
And now at last the tears may flow.
Fa la la la la la la la la la