A BOUGH OF MISTLETOE

Tell me that you love me true the fine young lord he said
For you are all my breath and life I would that we were wed
The maid replied I’ll marry you but grant me only this
To make our vows on Christmas day, this is my fondest wish

So they were wed on Christmas day and all the guests agreed
A finer joining of two souls they never thought to see
The bridegroom said let all those here walk with us to my hall
For there is laid a wedding feast, come join us one and all

Chorus
The bride she wore a silken gown as white as new laid snow
And at her breast she held to her heart
A bough of mistletoe

A merry banquet amply served was laid out in the hall
The newly-weds they ate and drank and danced with one and all
And then the bride she told the groom this dancing wearies me
So let us play a lovers’ game before we take our leave

Wait here a while and I will hide myself here in your house
And having waited start your search and you will find me out
She hid herself and then the groom and guests searched high and low
But where his loving bride had gone none but she did know

Chorus

All night and day he searched through all his house and grounds
For days and weeks and months he searched but she could not be found
The years wore on, the groom in grief lived out his life alone
But always on his coat he wore a sprig of mistletoe

Chorus

An old man finds an oaken chest forgotten and concealed
He lifts the lid and starts to weep at what is there revealed
A time-bleached skeleton arrayed in silk as white as bone
And lying on the breast a withered bough of mistletoe

Chorus