The Power of the Harp

Sir Peter would forth from the castle ride, Grieving and weeping did sit his young bride. Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

“Art grieving for saddle, or steed black or white, Or because I have wed thee art thou in this plight?” Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

“I grieve not for saddle, or steed black or white, Nor because thou hast wed me am I in this plight.” Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

“Dost sorrow because little wealth I have got, Or dost sorrow because thine equal I’m not?” Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

“I sorrow not because little of wealth thou hast got, Nor grieve I because thou mine equal art not.” Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

“Dost sorrow because thy fond father is dead, Or dost sorrow because thou’rt no longer a maid?” Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

“I grieve not because my dear father is dead, Nor sorrow I because that I am not a maid.” Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

“I grieve and I weep, and to grieve I have need, I know but too well what for me is decreed.” Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

“For the bridge, the broad bridge, I sorrow much more, For oh! my five sisters together fell o’er.” Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

“I think of the stream, and I sorrow much more, My sisters sank in it and never rose more.” Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

“My dearest, my dearest, cast sorrow aside, Before thee shall twelve of my merry men ride.” Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

“Before thee shall twelve of my merry men speed, And I will myself hold the reins of thy steed.” Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

And when they arrived in the green forest shade A hart they beheld at gold tables that played. Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

All stopped at the strange brown hart to take heed, And allowed the young bride by herself to proceed. Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

And as the broad bridge she went galloping o’er, Stumbled her steed on his golden shoes four. Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

Golden shoes four, each with golden nails three, And the bride was cast into the boiling sea. Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

Sir Peter he turned at her terrified cry, But the bride she had sunk ’neath the waters high. Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

He called to his men as their hands they wring: “Bring quickly my harp with the golden string!” Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

Sir Peter began with such sweetness to play, That the birds all sang as they sat on the spray. Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

The Merman rose from the depths of the sea, And the fair young bride by the hand led he. Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

“Sir Peter, Sir Peter, thy playing give o’er, Thy beautiful bride to thy arms I restore.” Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

“For my bonny bride only I will not give o’er, Her five sisters also thou must restore.” Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

Anew ’gan Sir Peter so sweetly to play, That the birds came down from their seat on the spray. Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

The Merman arose from the depth of the sea, Five pretty maids by the hand led he. Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

“Sir Peter, Sir Peter, thy playing give o’er, For in truth have I now no maidens more.” Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?

From her anguish now is the Lady free, In the arm of Sir Peter each night sleeps she. Belov’d of my heart, wherefore sorrowest thou so?