Fair Mabel of Wallington Hall

When we were silly sisters seven we were so fair

Five of us were brave knights' wives and died in childbed there

Up then spoke fair Mabel, I'll never take a man

If ever I lay in a man's bed, the same way I'll gan

Make no vows fair Mabel for fear they broken be

Here's been the knight of Wallington asking good will of thee

Here's been the knight of Wallington asking good will of me

Within three quarters of a year you may come bury me

When she came to Wallington and into Wallington Hall

There she spied her mother dear walking upon the wall

You're welcome, dear daughter, to your castle and your room

I thank you kindly, Mother, but they will be yours soon

She had not been in Wallington three quarters and a day

Til all the spirit left her, her lips were ashen grey

She had not been in Wallington three quarters and a night

Til all the power left her, her face was pale and white

Is there a lad in this town, a lad who fast can run

Who'll run to Seaton Yetts and bid my mother come

Who'll tell my sister Betty my life's taken by a man

And bid her keep her maidenhead or the same way she'll gan

Who'll ask my mother dear, sat in her chair of stone

Why out of seven daughters fair, the last is left alone

Who'll tell my mother dear, sat in her chair of slate

To bid goodbye to Mabel before it's too late

Her mother kicked the chair of stone and trembled where she stood

And called upon her waiting maid to bring her riding hood

Go saddle me the swiftest steed that to Wallington will ride

I'm going to my daughter dear to be by her bedside

When she came to Wallington she saw Lord Fenwick there

Where is my daughter Mabel who I left in your care

Lord Fenwick's eyes filled up with tears, twenty ladies cried the same

To see fair Mabel hold on to life until her mother came

Come take the rings off my finger, the skin it is so white

And give them to my mother dear who cries for me this night

Come take the rings off my finger, the veins they are so red

And give them to Sir Fenwick, I'm sure his heart has bled

My duty's done and as you wished, here's Wallington's young heir

But though the cradle is full up

The bridebed is left bare