Traditional The elf-knight sits on yonder hill Fine flowers in the valley He blows his horn both loud and shrill As the rose is blown He blows it East, he blows it West Fine flowers in the valley He blows it where he liketh best As the rose is blown Lady Isabel sits a-sewing Fine flowers in the valley When she heard the elf-knight's horn a-blowing As the rose is blown 'Would I had that horn a-blowing' Fine flowers in the valley 'And yon elf-knight for to sleep in my bosom' As the rose is blown Scarcely had she these words spoken Fine flowers in the valley When in at the window the elf-knight's broken As the rose is blown 'It's a very strange matter, fair maid' said he Fine flowers in the valley 'I cannot blow my horn, but you call on me' As the rose is blown 'But will you go to the greenwood side?" Fine flowers in the valley 'If you will not go, I'll cause you to ride' As the rose is blown He leapt on his horse and she on another
Fine flowers in the valley And they rode on to the greenwood together As the rose is blown 'Light down, light down, Isabel' said he Fine flowers in the valley 'For we're come to the place where you are to die' As the rose is blown 'It's seven kings daughters, here have I slain' Fine flowers in the valley 'And you shall be the eighth of them' As the rose is blown 'Sit down a-while, lay your head on my knee' Fine flowers in the valley 'That we may rest before I die' As the rose is blown She stroked him so fast the nearer he did creep Fine flowers in the valley And with a small charm, she's lulled him to sleep As the rose is blown With his own sword-belt, so fast she's bound him Fine flowers in the valley With his own dagger so sore she's stabbed him As the rose is blown 'If seven kings daughters here have you slain' Fine flowers in the valley 'Then lie you here, a husband to them all' As the rose is blown