Mother, I am worn by the day
Chasing through the ice and wood
Where William and I oft fetch and play
Out of breath
Mother, please don't stand in the way
Help these cottons from my frame
So red and frail am I, I could sway
To my death

Tell not thorn nor lie
Speak to me o murder child
Trouble's in your eye
Speak to me o murder child
You bite the hand that feeds and crow
So count here naked in the snow
Tell not thorn nor lie
Speak to me o murder child

Mother, I must go to my bed
Remove your windy barn door hands
These stains are of a hare that I've bled
On my sword
Mother, I have reasoned and pled
Nag your William, spoilt and late
For this is not the shade of his red
By my word

Tell not thorn nor lie
Speak to me o murder child
Trouble's in your eye
Speak to me o murder child
You bite the hand that feeds and crow
So count here naked in the snow
Tell not thorn nor lie
Speak to me o murder child

Tell not thorn nor lie
Speak to me o murder child
Trouble's in your eye
Speak to me o murder child
You bite the hand that feeds and crow
So count here naked in the snow
Tell not thorn nor lie
Speak to me o murder child

Mother, shall I tender a stab
To why a woman births and knits
Yet keeps not her dear William from the drab
Of the frost?
Mother, please don't play to his jab
Surely he'll return to grace you
While your firstborn's cold as a slab
On your cross

Tell not thorn nor lie
Speak to me o murder child
Trouble's in your eye
Speak to me o murder child
You bite the hand that feeds and crow
So count here naked in the snow
Tell not thorn nor lie
Speak to me o murder child

After the spring you shall find him
After the snow leaves the hill
After the spring you shall find him
'Til then there's no grave to fill

After the spring you shall find him
After the snow leaves the hill
After the spring you shall find him
'Til then there's no grave to fill