Silverblade

I have myself a silver blade
The edges sharp, the handle bone
A little thing of silver made
Now it's the only thing I own

Once I knew a lordling fine
I heard him whistle as he rode
And I was bold to call him mine
The shoes upon his horse were gold

One look in my eyes and he
Bid me climb onto his horse
And asked if I'd his lady be
And go away for ever more

He spoke of love songs at each kiss
And I who was a young girl then
Was promised every young girl's bliss
Got up and rode away with him

He led me through his castle tall
With promises and jewels until
He led me through his castle hall
Then took my clothes and worked his will

And when he had and I lay there
From my head with a silver blade
He cut a lock of my crow-black hair
And bid me dress and go my way

But I marked well the silver blade
And where he sat it when he did
And when his back was turned I laid it
Buried deep beneath his ribs

I used my dagger as a spade
Where the thorns and lilacs grow
I cut the ground into a grave
In a place even God don't know

Every evening, I returned
To the place for him I chose
Until his skin had turned to worms
Wild dogs scattered his bones

And all I have of what I was
Is the memory of a maid
Who mistook a thief for love
But who gained a silver blade