Cruel Lincoln - The Cruellest Month Version

Said the Lord to the Lady I am now going out
Beware of Cruel Lincoln when I am gone out
What cares I for Lincoln or any of his kin
For my doors are all bolted an my windows are pinned
As soon as the Lord had got out of sight
Cruel Lincoln crept in in the middle of the night
Got and pricked the sweet Baby which caused it to cry
Whilst the Nurse sat a singing o hush a lullaby
Cruel Lincoln rocked the cradle and the False Nurse she sung
And all round the cradle the Babies blood ran
O Nurse, O Nurse how sound you do sleep
Whilst my little Baby almost bitterly does weep
O Nurse, O Nurse, O still him with the keys
He will not still my Lady, let me do what 'ere I please
O Nurse, O Nurse, O still him with the ring
He will not still my Lady, let me do most anything
Cruel Lincoln rocked the cradle and the False Nurse she sung
While out of the cradle the Babies blood sprung
O Lady, dear Lady come and take him in your lap
For I cannot quiet him with milk nor with pap
How can I come down so late in the night
Without coal or candle for to grant me any light
There's two smocks in your coffer as white as any swan
Put one of these about you, it will show a light down
The Lady came down, not thinking any harm
Cruel Lincoln stood a waiting for to catch her in his arms
O Lincoln, Cruel Lincoln spare my life for one hour
You shall have my daughter Betsy, she's my own blooming flower
Go and fetch your daughter Betsy, she will do very well
To hold up the silver basin for to catch your hearts blood
There was blood in the kitchen, there was blood in the hall
There was blood in the parlour where the Lady did fall
As soon as the Lord had heard what was done
Tears from his eyes in torrents they ran
Saying the Nurse shall be hung on the scaffold so high
Cruel Lincoln shall be burned in the furnace close by
Cruel Lincoln shall be burned in the furnace close by