The two brothers

Somewhere in Vietnam, September first Dear, Mom and Dad We must've marched twenty miles today Through the rain and the mud And believe it or not This is the first opportunity I've had to sit down and Write in two or three weeks This'll have to be short But I just wanted to send my love And let you know that I'm doing fine But you know, just being here And seeing how close these people Are to losing their freedom Makes me that much more determined To help win this war 'Cause if we don't, the next battlefield May be closer to home than Vietnam Must close for now, all my love Your son, Bud P.S., how's Tommy doing At State University Tell him his big brother said hello State University, September first Hi, Dad, we must have Marched twenty blocks today And, baby, I'm beat I mean, like the sign I was carrying got real heavy But, Dad, everything was out of sight There were recorders and Photographers and cameraman From every major news Service and network in the nation So look for your baby boy's picture On the front page of today's paper Of course, you might have a Little trouble recognizing me With my groovy beard But, Dad, I know we're right How can you defend my brother Murdering all those people overseas

So what if the Communists Do take over in South Vietnam Why, just today Our economics professor assured us That people get along Just as well under communism As they do under Any other form of government I'm sorry, Dad But this God and country bit Just isn't my bag Gotta go, dad, big rally tonight Your son, Tommy P.S., Dad better send me an Extra fifty bucks this week, dig Dear Mr. and Mrs. Smith I know you must be awfully Proud of your fine son I wish I could be there to See you recieve Bud's medal of honor It may comfort you to know That his last thoughts were of you And as his sergeant I can truthfully say He was one of the bravest men I have ever known Dear Mom and Dad It's been some time Since I received word about Bud Somehow I just didn't have The nerve to come home But I've done a lot of thinking since then About my turned on friends and About what they said about communism We were all wrong And you know, I always just worship Bud Now that I've thought it over, I know That he would never fight for something Unless he believed in it With all of his heart And in spite of all my past mistakes I hope that somehow, someday I can become as big in your eyes As my brother will always be

Your son, Private Tommy Smith

The Twa Sisters Traditional Ballads

THERE was twa sisters in a bowr, Binnorie, O Binnorie There was twa sisters in a bowr, Binnorie, O Binnorie There was twa sisters in a bowr, There came a knight to be their wooer, By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie. He courted the eldest wi glove an ring, But he lovd the youngest above a thing. He courted the eldest wi brotch an knife, But lovd the Youngest as his life. The eldest she was vexed sair, An much envid her sister fair. Into her bowr she could not rest, Wi grief an spite she almos brast. Upon a morning fair an clear, She cried upon her sister dear: O sister, come to yon sea stran, An see our fathers ships come to lan. Shes taen her by the milk-white han, And led her down to yon sea stran. The younges[t] stood upon a stane, The eldest came an threw her in. She tooke her by the middle sma, And dashd her bonny back to the jaw. 1 O sister, sister, tak my han, An Ise 2 mack you heir to a my lan. O sister, sister, tak my middle, An Yes 3 get my goud 4 and my gouden girdle. O sister, sister, save my life,

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An I swear Ise never be nae mans wife. Foul fa the han that I should tacke, It twin d 5 me an my wardles make. 6 Your cherry cheeks an yallow hair Gars 7 me gae maiden for evermair. Sometimes she sank, an sometimes she swam, Till she came down yon bonny mill-dam. O out it came the millers son, An saw the fair maid swimmin in. O father, father, draw your dam, Heres either a mermaid or a swan. The miller quickly drew the dam, An there he found a drownd woman. You coudna see her yallow hair For gold and pearle that were so rare. You coudna see her middle sma For gouden girdle that was sae braw. You coudna see her fingers white, For gouden rings that was sae gryte. 8 An by there came a harper fine, That harped to the king at dine. When he did look that lady upon, He sighd and made a heavy moan. Hes taen three locks o her yallow hair, An wi them strung his harp sae fair. The first tune he did play and sing, Was, Farewell to my father the king. The nextin tune that he playd syne, 9 Was, Farewell to my mother the queen. The lasten tune that he playd then, Was, Wae to my sister, fair Ellen.
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Note 1. Ye shall. [back] Note 2. Gold. [back]

Note 3. Separated. [back] Note 4. Worlds mate. [back] Note 5. Causes. [back] Note 6. Great. [back] Note 7. Then. [back] Note 8. Go. [back] Note 9. So good. [back]

The Twa Corbies Traditional Ballads

AS 1 I was walking all alane, I heard two corbies making a mane; The tane unto the t other say, Where sall we gang and dine to-day? In behint yon auld fail 2 dyke, I wot 3 there lies a new slain knight; And naebody kens 4 that he lies there, But his hawk, his hound, and lady fair. His hound is to the hunting gane, His hawk to fetch the wild-fowl hame, His ladys taen another mate, So we may mak our dinner sweet. Yell sit on his white hause-bane, 5 And Ill pike out his bonny blue een; Wi ae lock o his gowden hair Well theek 6 our nest when it grows bare. Mony a one for him makes mane, 7 But nane sall ken where he is gane; Oer his white banes when they are bare, The wind sall blaw for evermair. Note 1. Turf. [back] Note 2. Know. [back]
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Note 3. Knows. [back] Note 4. Neck-bone. [back] Note 5. Thatch. [back] Note 6. Moan. [back] Note 7. Old. [back]

Get Up and Bar the Door Traditional Ballads

IT fell about the Martinmas time, And a gay time it was then, When our good wife got puddings to make, And shes boild them in the pan. The wind sae cauld blew south and north, And blew into the floor; Quoth our goodman to our goodwife, Gae 1 out and bar the door. My hand is in my hussyfskap, 2 Goodman, as ye may see; An it shoud nae be barrd this hundred year, Its no be barrd for me. They made a paction tween them twa, They made it firm and sure, That the first word whaeer shoud speak, Shoud rise and bar the door. Then by there came two gentlemen, At twelve oclock at night, And they could neither see house nor hall, Nor coal nor candle-light. Now whether is this a rich mans house, Or whether is it a poor? But neer a word wad ane o them speak, For barring of the door. And first they ate the white puddings,
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And then they ate the black; Tho muckle thought the goodwife to hersel, Yet neer a word she spake. Then said the one unto the other, Here, man, tak ye my knife; Do ye tak aff the auld mans beard, And Ill kiss the goodwife. But theres nae water in the house, And what shall we do than? What ails thee at the pudding-broo, 3 That boils into the pan? O up then started our goodman, An angry man was he: Will ye kiss my wife before my een, And scad 4 me wi pudding-bree? Then up and started our goodwife, Gied three skips on the floor: Goodman, youve spoken the foremost word, Get up and bar the door. Note 1. Housewifery. [back] Note 2. Water in which the puddings were boiled. [back] Note 3. Scald. [back] Note 4. Dry, make. [back]
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1 Some they will talk of bold Robin Hood, And some of barons bold, But I'll tell you how he servd the Bishop of Hereford, When he robbed him of his gold. 2 As it befel in merry Barnsdale, And under the green-wood tree, The Bishop of Hereford was to come by, With all his company. 3 'Come, kill a venson,' said bold Robin Hood, 'Come, kill ne a good fat deer; The Bishop of Hereford is to dine with me to-day, And he shall pay well for his cheer. 4 'We'll kill a fat venson,' said bold Robin Hood, 'And dress it by the highway-side; And we will watch the Bishop narrowly, Lest some other way he should ride.' 5 Robin Hood dressd himself in shepherd's attire, With six of his men also; And, when the Bishop of Hereford came by, They about the fire did go. 6 'O what is the matter?' then said the Bishop, 'Or for whom do you make this a-do? Or why do you kill the king's venson, When your company is so few?' 7 'We are shepherds,' said bold Robin Hood. 'And we keep sheep all the year, And we are disposed to be merry this day, And to kill of the king's fat deer.' 8 'You are brave fellow!' said the Bishop,

'And the king of your doings shall know; Therefore, make haste and come along with me, For before the king you shall go.' 9 'O pardon, O pardon,' said bold Robin Hood. 'O pardon I thee pray! For it becomes not your lordship's coat To take so many lives away.' 10 'No pardon, no pardon,' says the Bishop, 'No pardon I thee owe; Therefore make haste, and come along with me, For before the king you shall go.' 11 Then Robin set his back against a tree, And his foot against a thorn, And from underneath his shepherd's coat He pulld out a bugle-horn. 12 He put the little end to his mouth, And a loud blast did he blow, Till threescore and ten of bold Robin's men Came running all on a row; 13 All making obeysance to bold Robin Hood; 'Twas a comely sight for to see; 'What is the matter, master,' said Little John, 'That you blow so hastily?' 14 'O here is the Bishop of Hereford, And no pardon we shall have:' 'Cut off his head, master,' said Little John, 'And throw him into his grave.' 15 'O pardon, O pardon,' said the Bishop, 'O pardon, I thee pray! For if I had known it had been you, I'd have gone some other way.' 16 'No pardon, no pardon,' said Robin Hood.

'No pardon I thee owe; Therefore make haste and come along with me, For to merry Barnsdale you shall go.' 17 Then Robin he took the Bishop by the hand, And led him to merry Barnsdale; He made him stay and sup with him that night, And to drink wine, beer, and ale. 18 'Call in the reckoning,' said the Bishop, 'For me thinks it grows wondrous high:' 'Lend me your purse, Bishop,' said Little John, 'And I'll tell you bye and bye.' 19 Then Little John took the bishop's cloak, And spread it upon the ground, And out of the bishop's portmantua He told three hundred pound. 20 'Here's money enough, master,' said Little John, 'And a comely sight 't is to see; It makes me in charity with the Bishop, Tho he heartily loveth not me.' 21 Robin Hood took the Bishop by the hand, And he caused the music to play, And he made the Bishop to dance in his boots, And glad he could so get away. Here's the ending verse to another, shorter, version of the ballad. 11 'Come, sing us a mass,' sayes bold Robin Hood, 'Come, sing us a mass all anon; Come, sing us a mass,' sayes bold Robin Hood, 'Take a kick in the a--se, and be gone.'

Come, gentlemen all, and listen a while, Hey down down an a down And a story I'le to you unfold: I'le tell you how Robin Hood served the Bishop, When he robbed him of his gold. As it fell out on a sun-shining day, When Phebus was in her prime, Then Robin Hood, that archer good, In mirth would spend some time. And as he walkd the forrest along, Some pastime for to spy, There was he aware of a proud bishop, And all his company. "O what shall I do?" said Robin Hood then, "If the Bishop he doth take me; No mercy he'l show unto me, I know, But hanged I shall be." Then Robin was stout, and turnd him about, And a little house there he did spy; And to an old wife, for to save his life, He loud began for to cry. "Why, who art thou?" said the old woman, "Come tel it to me for good." "I am an out-law, as many do know, My name it is Robin Hood. "And yonder's the Bishop and all his men, And if that I taken be, Then day and night he'l work me spight, And hanged I shall be." "If thou be Robin Hood," said the old wife, "As thou doth seem to be, I'le for thee provide, and thee I will hide, From the Bishop and his company. "For I well remember, on Saturday night Thou bought me both shoos and hose; Therefore I'le provide thy person to hide, And keep thee from thy foes." "Then give me soon thy coat of gray,

And take thou my mantle of green; Thy spindle and twine unto me resign, And take thou my arrows so keen." And when that Robin Hood was so araid, He went straight to his company; With his spindle and twine, he oft lookt behind For the Bishop and his company. "O who is yonder," quoth Little John, "That now comes over the lee? An arrow I will at her let flie, So like an old witch looks she." "O hold thy hand, hold thy hand," said Robin then, "And shoot not thy arrows so keen; I am Robin Hood, thy master good, And quickly it shall be seen." The Bishop he came to the old womans house, And he called with furious mood, "Come let me soon see, and bring unto me, That traitor Robin Hood." The old woman he set on a milk-white steed, Himselfe on a dapple-gray, And for joy he had got Robin Hood, He went laughing all the way. But as they were riding the forrest along, The Bishop he chanc'd for to see A hundred brave bow-men bold Stand under the green-wood tree. "O who is yonder," the Bishop then said, "That's ranging within yonder wood?" "Marry," says the old woman, "I think it to be A man calld Robin Hood." "Why, who art thou," the Bishop he said, "Which I have here with me?" "Why I am an old woman, thou cuckoldly bishop; Lift up my leg and see." "Then woe is me," the Bishop he said, "That ever I saw this day!" He turnd him about, but Robin so stout Calld him and bid him stay. Then Robin took hold of the Bishops horse,

And ty'd him fast to a tree; Then Little John smil'd his master upon, For joy of that company. Robin Hood took his mantle from's back, And spread it upon the ground, And out of the Bishops portmantle he Soon told five hundred pound. "So now let him go," said Robin Hood; Said Little John, "That may not be; For I vow and protest he shall sing us a mass Before that he goe from me." Then Robin Hood took the Bishop by the hand, And bound him fast to a tree, And made him sing a mass, God wot, To him and his yeomandree. And then they brought him through the wood, And set him on his dapple-gray, And gave the tail within his hand, And bade him for Robin Hood pray.

LORD RANDAL "O where ha you been, Lord Randal, my son? And where ha you been, my handsome young man?" "I ha been at the greenwood; mother, mak my bed soon, For I'm wearied wi hunting, and fain wad lie down." "An wha met ye there, Lord Randal, my son? And wha met ye there, my handsome young man?" "O I met wi my true-love; mother, mak my bed soon,

For I'm wearied wi huntin, and fain wad lie down." "And what did she give you, Lord Randal, my son? And wha did she give you, my handsome young man?" "Eels fried in a pan; mother, mak my bed soon, For I'm wearied wi huntin, and fein wad lie down." "And what gat your leavins, Lord Randal my son? And wha gat your leavins, my handsome young man?" "My hawks and my hounds; mother, mak my bed soon, For I'm wearied wi huntin, and fein wad lie down." "And what becam of them, Lord Randal, my son? And what becam of them, my handsome young man?" "They stretched their legs out and died; mother mak my bed soon, For I'm wearied wi huntin, and fain wad lie down." "O I fear you are poisoned, Lord Randal, my son! I fear you are poisoned, my handsome young man!" "O yes, I am poisoned; mother, mak my bed soon, For I'm sick at the heart, and fain wad lie down." "What d'ye leave to your mother, Lord Randal, my son? What d'ye leave to your mother, my handsome young man?" "Four and twenty milk kye; mother, make my bed soon, For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie down." "What d'ye leave to your sister, Lord Randal, my son? What d'ye leave to your sister, my handsome young man?" "My gold and my silver; mother mak my bed soon, For I'm sick at the heart, an I fain wad lie down." "What d'ye leave to your brother, Lord Randal, my son? What d'ye leave to your brother, my handsome young man?" "My houses and my lands; mother, mak my bed soon, For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie down." "What d'ye leave to your true-love, Lord Randal, my son? What d'ye leave to your true-love, my handsome young man?" "I leave her hell and fire; mother mak my bed soon, For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie down."

O dove sei stato, Lord Randal, figlio mio? O dove sei stato, mio bel baldo giovane?" "Sono stato nel bosco sacro; madre, prepara il mio letto presto, ho cacciato e sono stanco e vorrei coricarmi." "E chi hai incontrato, Lord Randal, figlio mio? E chi hai incontrato, mio bel giovane?" "Ho incontrato il mio vero amore; madre, prepara il mio letto presto, ho cacciato e sono stanco e vorrei coricarmi." "E che cosa ti ha dato, Lord Randal, figlio mio? E che cosa ti ha dato, mio bel giovane?" "Mi ha dato anguille fritte in una padella; madre, prepara il mio letto presto, ho cacciato e sono stanco e vorrei coricarmi." "E chi ha mangiato gli avanzi, Lord Randal, figlio mio? E chi ha mangiato gli avanzi, mio bel giovane?" "I miei cani e i miei falchi; madre, prepara il mio letto presto, ho cacciato e sono stanco e vorrei coricarmi." "E cosa ne stato di loro, Lord Randal, figlio mio? E cosa ne stato di loro, mio bel giovane?" "Hanno disteso le zampe e sono morti; madre, prepara il mio letto presto, ho cacciato e sono stanco e vorrei coricarmi." "Ho paura che tu sia stato avvelenato, Lord Randal, figlio mio! Ho paura che tu sia stato avvelenato, mio bel giovane!" "S, sono stato avvelenato; madre, prepara il mio letto presto, sento male al cuore e vorrei coricarmi." "Cosa lasci a tua madre, Lord Randal, figlio mio? Cosa lasci a tua madre, mio bel giovane?" "Lascio a mia madre ventiquattro mucche; madre, prepara il mio letto presto, sento male al cuore e vorrei coricarmi." "Cosa lasci a tua sorella, Lord Randal, figlio mio? Cosa lasci a tua sorella, mio bel giovane?" "Lascio a mia sorella oro e argento; madre, prepara il mio letto presto, sento male al cuore e vorrei coricarmi." "Cosa lasci a tuo fratello, Lord Randal, figlio mio? Cosa lasci a tuo fratello, mio bel giovane?" "Lascio a mio fratello le mie case e le mie terre; madre, prepara il mio letto presto, sento male al cuore e vorrei coricarmi." "Cosa lasci al tuo vero amore, Lord Randal, figlio mio? Cosa lasci al tuo vero amore, mio bel giovane?" "Lascio al mio vero amore l'inferno e le fiamme; madre, prepara il mio letto presto, sento male al cuore e vorrei coricarmi."