"Riddles Wisely Expounded (Child 1)" lyrics - ANAIS MITCHELL

There were three sisters in the north
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
And they lived in their mother's house
And you'll beguile a lady soon
There came a man one evening late
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
He came knocking at the gate
And you'll beguile a lady soon

The other sister let him
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
And locked the door with a silver pin
And you'll beguile a lady soon
The second sister made his bed
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
And laid soft pillows 'neath his head
And you'll beguile a lady soon
The youngest sister, fair and bright
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
She lay beside him all through the night
And you'll beguile a lady soon

And in the morning, come the day
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
She said "Young man, will you marry me?"
And you'll beguile a lady soon
He said "Yes, I'll marry thee
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
If you can answer this for me:
And you'll beguile a lady soon

What is greener than the grass?
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
And what is smoother than a glass?
And you'll beguile a lady soon
What is louder than a horn?
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
And what is sharper than a thorn?
And you'll beguile a lady soon
What is deeper than the sea?
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
And what is longer than the way?"
And you'll beguile a lady soon

"Envy's greener than the grass
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
Flattery's smoother than the glass
And you'll beguile a lady soon
Rumour's louder than the horn
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
Slander's sharper than the thorn
And you'll beguile a lady soon
Regret is deeper than the sea
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
But love is longer than the way"
And you'll beguile a lady soon

The elder sister rang the bell
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
She rang it from the highest hill
And you'll beguile a lady soon
The second sister made the gown
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
She sewed it of a silk so fine
And you'll beguile a lady soon
The younger sister true and wise
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
They made of her a lovely bride
And you'll beguile a lady soon

And now fair maids are bid adieu
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
These parting words I'll leave with you
And you'll beguile a lady soon
May you always constant prove
Lay the bend to the bonny broom
Unto the one that you do love
And you'll beguile a lady soon