Kemp Owyne

Lyrics traditional (Child 34). Music (c) 2001 J. Eiler

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Notes: This song captured my attention the first time I read it, but I could never find music, or any sort of "background story." So I rearranged it from the original ballad and wrote some music.

[V1.] Her mother died when she was young
Which gave her cause to make great moan
Her father wed the worst woman
That ever lived in Christendom
Isobel served her, foot and hand
In everything that she had done.

[V2.] Till once in an unlucky time
She threw her in ower Craigy's sea
Says, Lie you there, Dove Isobel
And all my sorrows lie with thee
Till Kemp Owyne come ower the sea
And borrow you with kisses three.

[Chorus 1]
Her breath grew strang, her hair grew lang
And twisted thrice around the tree
And all the people far and near
Thought that a savage beast was she

[V3]: These news did come to Kemp Owyne
Where he lived, far beyond the sea
He hasted him to Craigy's sea
And on the savage beast looked he
"Kemp Owyne, look upon me now,
Hast ever seen the likes of me?"

[Chorus 2]:
Her breath was strang, her hair was lang
And twisted thrice about the tree
And with a swing she came about
"Come ye to Craigy's sea and kiss with me

[V4]: "Here is a royal belt," she cried,
"That I have found in the green sea
But if you touch me, tail or fin
I vow my belt your death shall be"
He stepped in, gave her a kiss
The royal belt he brought him wi'

[Chorus 3]:
Her breath was strang, her hair was lang
And twisted twice about the tree
And with a swing she came about
"Come ye to Craigy's sea and kiss with me"

[V5]: "Here is a royal ring," she said
"That I have found in the green sea
But if you touch me, tail or fin,
I swear my ring your death will be"
He stepped in, gave her a kiss
The royal ring he brought him wi'

[Chorus 4]:
Her breath was strang, her hair was lang
And twisted aince about the tree
And with a swing she came about
"Come ye to Craigy's sea and kiss with me"

[V6]: "Here is a royal brand," she cried,
"That I have found in the green sea
But if you touch me tail or fin
I swear my brand your death will be"
He stepped in, gave her a kiss
The royal brand he brought him wi'

[Chorus 5]:
Her breath was sweet, her hair grew short
And twisted nane about the tree
And smilingly she came about
As fair a woman as fair could be