Unknown - True Thomas Lyrics

Lyrics Directory >> U >> Unknown Singer Lyrics >> True Thomas Song Lyrics

Artist:	Unknown
Song Title:	True Thomas
Visits:	1029

Print Version

TRUE THOMAS
(Danny Carnahan)

Thomas lay upon the grassy bank and beheld a lady gay,
Come riding o'er so brisk and bold along the ferny brae.
Her skirt was of the silk so green, and her coat the velvet fine
And at each toss, her horse's mane rang fifty bells and nine.
And Thomas did salute her, bowing down upon his knee,
And he said, "Well met enchanting one, you're the flower of this country."
And as he gazed upon her, oh so blind of love was he,
That he has kissed her rosey lips all 'neath the Eildon tree.
Oh now you've kissed me, Thomas, you must ride away with me
To serve my will for seven years what e'er your chance may be
She's mounted up her snow white steed and pulled Thomas up behind
And aye when'er her bridle rang, they flew swift as the wind.
And on they rode and farther on till they spied a garden green
And she said, "Lie down, dear Thomas, for we're near my fair country.
Take this bread and wine and lay your head down on my knee,
For when your fill you've eaten, I would show you fair ways three.
See the narrow road to paradise, though it winds through thorn and tree,
The broad road leads to the gates of Hell, though fair it seems to be,
But see you not yon farther road, winding round the lilly lea,
That is the road to my fair land, whence you must go with me.
But mark you, Thomas, hold your tongue and answer only unto me,
For should you speak unto another, your own home you ne'er shall see."
When Thomas came into the hall, oh a well bred man was he.
They've asked him questions one and all, but not one word spoke he.
Its of woven clouds she's made the roof and of flowered vines the walls
And jewels did shower down as rain that night among them all.
And each day brought Thomas wonders, never seen by mortal eye,
And each night brought Thomas wonders, as next the lady he did lie.
But she rose and said, "True Thomas, now 'tis time you were away,
For seven years have passed and gone, though it seemed but seven days."
"If it's seven years, my lady, since my face on earth was seen,
Pray give to me some token that I may prove where I have been."

And it's on she rode and farther on to the Huntley banks rode she
And she set him down upon the ground beside the Eilden tree.
"As you'd have a token, Thomas, a rare token shall it be,
For the gift I give you, Thomas, is a tongue that can not lie"
But he's cried, "I pray you lady, and give not this gift to me,
For how may I counsel prince or lord or court a fair lady?"
"Be careful in your silence as you're careful what you say,
May your truth outlive them all," she said as she turned and rode away.
Written by Danny Carnahan after a Child ballad. " Based on the
13th century legend of Thomas Rymer of Erceldoun. Thomas was
said to have visited the land of Faery and returned with the gift
of prophecy and tongue that could not lie. Most recent versions
of the ballad leave off at the point where Thomas is taken to the
other world, but one 14th century version recounts what happened
afterwords and how Thomas returned to earth. I based my lyrics
on this older story."
Child #37
@myth @magic
filename[ TRUTOMAS
SG
===DOCUMENT BOUNDARY

True Thomas Lyrics at Lyricstrue

E-Mail, IM, Text :
Websites & Blogs :
Forums :


Other Unknown song Lyrics
99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall "Midnight Mass a yellow moon Wonder walked from my window Now she sings a different tune Golden tones, out of the blue..."	A Bird in a Gilded Cage "99 Bottles of Beer on the wall, 99 Bottles of Beer, If one of those bottles should happen to fall, 98 bottles of beer on the wall...."
A Fenian Song "A Bird in a Gilded Cage The ballroom was filled with fashion's throng, It shone with a thousand lights; And there was a woman who passed along,..."	A Fool Such As I "A Fenian Song 1. The Queen's Own Regiment was their name; From fair Toronto town they came To put the Irish all to shame -..."
A Friend Like You "I need a friend I can really depend on Not just someone funny or cool Someone who follows the Lord just like I do Don't wanna be the friend of a fool..."	A Hero of the Wrong War "A Gentleman of Exeter A gentleman of Exelter, He had but one only daughter dear. When she was scarce sixteen years of age,..."
A Horse Named Bill "A Hero of the Wrong War I recall the afternoon, I had just come home from school When the FBI came knocking on our door They were looking for my dad..."	A Hundred Years from Now "A HORSE NAMED BILL I had a horse, his name was Bill And when he ran, he couldn't stand still He ran away, one day And also, I ran with him..."