Speak to me, oh murder child
(Speak to me, oh murder child)
Tell not thorn nor lie
Speak to me, oh murder child!

Tell not, not thorn nor lie
Tell not, not thorn nor lie
Tell not, not thorn nor lie
Tell not, not thorn nor lie
Tell not, not thorn nor lie
Tell not, not thorn nor lie
Tell not, not thorn nor lie

Mother, I am worn by the day
Chasing through the ice and wood
Where William and I oft fetched and played
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

Speak to me, oh murder child
(Speak to me, oh murder child)
Tell not thorn nor lie
Speak to me, oh murder child
Speak to me, oh murder child
(speak to me, oh murder child)
Tell not thorn nor lie
Speak to me, oh murder child
Tell not, not thorn nor lie
Tell not, not thorn nor lie

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

Speak to me, oh murder child
(Speak to me, oh murder child)
Tell not thorn nor lie
Speak to me, oh murder child
Speak to me, oh murder child
(speak to me, oh murder child)
Tell not thorn nor lie
Speak to me, oh murder child

Tell not, not thorn nor lie
Tell not, not thorn nor lie

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
Tell not thorn nor lie
(Speak to me, oh murder child)
Trouble's in your eyes
(Speak to me, oh 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, oh murder child

Tell not thorn nor lie
(Speak to me, oh murder child)
Trouble's in your eyes
(Speak to me, oh 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, oh murder child
Speak to me, oh murder child
Speak to me, oh murder child
Tell not thorn nor lie
Speak to me, oh murder child