Lyrics Riddles Wisely Expounded (Child 1) - Anaïs Mitchell, Jefferson Hamer

Riddles Wisely Expounded (Child 1)

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…
And he came knocking at the gate
And you’ll beguile…
The eldest sister let him in
And locked the door with a silver pin
The second sister made his bed
And laid soft pillows 'neath his head
The youngest sister, fair and bright
She lay beside him all through the night
And in the morning, come the day
She said, «Young man, will you marry me?»
And he said, «Yes, I’ll marry thee
If you can answer this to me»
«What is greener than the grass?
And what is smoother than the glass?»
«What is louder than a horn?
And what is sharper than a thorn?»
«What is deeper than the sea?
And what is longer than the way?»
«Envy's greener than the grass
Flattery’s smoother than the glass»
«Rumor's louder than a horn
Slander’s sharper than a thorn»
«Regret is deeper than the sea
But love is longer than the way»
The eldest sister rang the bell
She rang it from the highest hill
The second sister made the gown
She sewed it of the silk so fine
The youngest sister, true and wise
They’ve made of her a lovely bride
And now fair maids, I bid adieu
These parting words I’ll leave with you
May you always constant prove
Unto the one that you do love