Gonna see about chopping this down to performance length. Raymond Crooke's performance for the tune.
WHEN we were silly sisters seven, sisters were so fair, Five of us were brave knights’ wives, and died in childbed lair.
Up then spake Fair Mary, marry woud she nane; If ever she came in man’s bed, the same gate wad she gang.
‘Make no vows, Fair Mary, for fear they broken be; Here’s been the Knight of Wallington, asking good will of thee.’
‘If here’s been the knight, mother, asking good will of me, Within three quarters of a year you may come bury me.’ She had not been in Wallington three quarters and a night, Till on the ground she coud not walk, she was a weary wight. ‘Give my respects to my mother, [as] she sits in her chair of stone, And ask her how she likes the news, of seven to have but one.
‘Give my love to my brothers William, Ralph, and John, And to my sister Betty fair, and to her white as bone.
‘And bid her keep her maidenhead,
marry shoud she nane;
If ever she came in man’s bed,
the same gate will she gang.
She took out a razor sharp that was both bright and fine, And out of her left side has ta'en the heir of Wallington.
There is a race in Wallington, and that I rue full sare; Tho the cradle be full up, the bride-bed is left bare.
