The Three Sisters

Words and Music: English Traditional
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Source: Davies Gilbert, Some Ancient Christmas Carols. London: John Nichols And Son, Second Edition, 1823, pp. 65-67.

1. There were three Sisters fair and bright,
    Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And they three loved one valiant Knight,
    As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.

2. The eldest Sister let him in,
    Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And barred the door with a silver pin,
    As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.

3. The second Sister made his bed,
    Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And placed soft pillows under his head,
    As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.

4. The youngest Sister fair and bright
    Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
Was resolved for to wed with this valiant Knight,
    As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.

[Here some verses seem to be wanting.]

5. And if you can answer questions three,
    Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
Oh! then, fair Maid, I will marry with thee,
    As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.

6. What is louder than an horn?
    Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And what is sharper than a thorn?
    As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.

7. Thunder is louder than a horn,
    Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And hunger is sharper than a thorn,
    As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.

8. What is broader than the way?
    Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And what is deeper than the sea?
    As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.

9. Lover is broader than the way,
    Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And hell is deeper than the sea,
    As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.

[The third question is wanting, and also the
first line of the concluding verse.]

.....
    Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And now, fair Maid, I will marry with thee,
    As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.

Sheet Music

Editor's Note:

Text notes in brackets are from Mr. Gilbert. On the sheet music, the second line is: "Juniper, Gentle, and Rosemary" (punctuation added).

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