Steeleye Span - The Cruel Mother lyrics

Traditional There was a lady lived in York She stabbed her baby to the heart She drew a scarf from off her head She bound the baby's hands and legs. She drew a knife long and sharp She stabbed the baby to the heart She wiped the knife upon the gra** The more she wiped, the blood ran fast. As she was going to her father's hall She saw three children playing at ball One in silk, the other in satin The other was naked as ever was born. ‘Oh, dear child, if you were mine' 'I'd dress you in silk and satins so fine' ‘Mother dear, I once was thine' 'You never would dress me, coarse or fine'. ‘Mother, mother, for your sins' 'Heaven you shall not enter' 'There is fire beyond Hell's gate' 'And there you'll burn forever'.