Richie Song - Shirley Collins

«Here's a letter to you, Madam

Here’s a letter to you, Madam

Here is a letter from the Earl of the Weymss

And all in suit of you, Madam.»

«Say not so to me, Richard

Say not so to me, Richard

For I made a vow and I’ll keep it true

To marry none but you, Richard.»

«Say not so to me, Madam

Say not so to me, Madam

For I have neither lands nor rents

For to maintain ye with, Madam.»

«Now I am going away, Madam

I am going away, Madam

I’m going away to London town

My friends they long to see me, Madam.»

«Then I will come with you, Richard

I will come with you, Richard

I’ll leave my castle and my land

I’m coming away with you, Richard.»

As they came down through London town

Oh but the bells they were ringing bonny

And many a knight and many a squire

Stood there to welcome Richard’s lady

«So dearly as you loved me, Madam

So dearly as you loved me, Madam

You left your lands and all your rents

Your serving boy to go with, Madam.»

«For since it’s so I love you, Madam

Since it’s so I love you, Madam

I left the sceptre and the throne

And was your serving man, Madam.»

«And was your serving man, Madam

Made all your bridles ring, Madam

But little did you know that your serving man

Was England’s royal king, Madam.»

«And since it’s so you love me, Madam

Since it’s so I love you, Madam

You shall be the queen of all England

And happy shall you be, Madam.»