Riddles Wisely Expounded (Child 1)

Refrain: Lay the bend to the bonny broom
And they lived in their mother’s house
Refrain: And you’ll beguile a lady soon
There came a man one evening late
Lay the bend…
And he came knocking at the gate
And you’ll beguile…
The eldest sister let him in
Lay the bend…
And locked the door with a silver pin
And you’ll beguile…
The second sister made his bed
Lay the bend…
And laid soft pillows ‘neath his head
And you’ll beguile…
The youngest sister, fair and bright
Lay the bend…
She lay beside him all through the night
And you’ll beguile…
And in the morning, come the day
Lay the bend…
She said, “Young man, will you marry me?”
And you’ll beguile…
And he said, “Yes, I’ll marry thee
Lay the bend…
If you can answer this to me”
And you’ll beguile…
“What is greener than the grass?
Lay the bend…
And what is smoother than the glass?”
And you’ll beguile…
“What is louder than a horn?
Lay the bend…
And what is sharper than a thorn?”
And you’ll beguile…
“What is deeper than the sea?
Lay the bend…
And what is longer than the way?”
And you’ll beguile…
“Envy’s greener than the grass
Lay the bend…
Flattery’s smoother than the glass”
And you’ll beguile…
“Rumor’s louder than a horn
Lay the bend…
Slander’s sharper than a thorn”
And you’ll beguile…
“Regret is deeper than the sea
Lay the bend…
But love is longer than the way”
The eldest sister rang the bell
Lay the bend…
She rang it from the highest hill
And you’ll beguile…
The second sister made the gown
Lay the bend…
She sewed it of the silk so fine
And you’ll beguile…
The youngest sister, true and wise
Lay the bend…
They’ve made of her a lovely bride
And you’ll beguile…
And now fair maids, I bid adieu
Lay the bend…
These parting words I’ll leave with you
And you’ll beguile…
May you always constant prove
Lay the bend…
Unto the one that you do love