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The Cruel Mother

from Greenwood Side by Lothlórien

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about

Traditional - arranged by Lothlorien. A tragic tale of children born out of wedlock and the extreme measures taken by the mother to avoid bringing disgrace upon herself and her family. This song has many variants, some of which are also known as 'Greenwood Side'.

lyrics

There was a lady lived in York - all the lee and loney
Fell in love with her father's clerk - down by the greenwood sidey-o

She loved him up, she loved him down - all the lee and loney
Loved him 'til he filled her arms - down by the greenwood sidey-o

She leant her back against an oak - all the lee and loney
First it bent and then it broke - down by the greenwood sidey-o

She leant her back against a thorn - all the lee and loney
There she had two fine babes born - down by the greenwood sidey-o

She took out her reaping knife - all the lee and loney
There she took those fine babes' lives - down by the greenwood sidey-o

She wiped the blade against her shoe - all the lee and loney
The more she rubbed, the redder it grew - down by the greenwood sidey-o

She went back to her father's hall - all the lee and loney
Saw two babes a-playing at ball - down by the greenwood sidey-o

'Oh babes oh babes if you were mine' - all the lee and loney
'I'd dress you up in scarlet fine' - down by the greenwood sidey-o

'Oh Mother Oh Mother if we were yours' - all the lee and loney
'Scarlet was our own hearts' blood' - down by the greenwood sidey-o

'Oh babes Oh babes it's Heaven for you' - all the lee and loney
'Oh Mother Oh Mother it's Hell for you' - down by the greenwood sidey-o

credits

from Greenwood Side, released January 1, 2000
Tamzin Wood - lead vocal, bodhran
Nicole Leonard - vocals, whistle, keyboards
Chris Lloyd - vocals

license

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about

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Lothlórien Auckland, New Zealand

Lothlórien is a Celtic music group based in Auckland, New Zealand, taking its name from the magical forest found in Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings'.

Lothlorien plays ethereal and haunting Celtic music, both traditional folk and contemporary songs and tunes, including some original compositions. ... more

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