American Old Time Song Lyrics: 03 The Mistletoe Bough

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 3

THE MISTLETOE BOUGH.

The mistletoe bough hung in the castle hall,
The holly branch shone on the old oak wall;
And the baron's retainers were blithe and gay,
And keeping their Christmas holiday.
The baron beheld, with a father's pride,
His beautiful child, young Lovel's bride;
While she, with her bright eyes, seemed to be
The star of that goodly company.
Oh! the mistletoe bough!

"I'm weary of dancing now," she cried,
"Here, tarry a moment, I'll hide-I'll hide;
And, Lovel, be sure thou'rt the first to trace
The clue to my secret lurking-place."
Away she ran, and her friends began
Each tower to search and each nook to scan;
And young Lovel cried, "Oh! where dost thou hide?
I'm lonely without thee, my own dear bride."
Oh! the mistletoe bough!

They sought her that night, and they sought her next day,
And they sought her, in vain, till a week passed away;
In the highest--the lowest-the loneliest spot,
Young Lovel sought wildly, but found her not.
And years flew by, and their grief at last
Was told as a sorrowful tale long past;
And when Lovel appeared the children cried,
"See! the old man weeps for his fairy bride."
Oh! the mistletoe bough!

At length an old chest, that had long lain hid,
Was found in the castle-they raised the lid-
And a skeleton form lay mouldering there,
In the bridal wreath of that lady fair.
Oh! sad was her fate-in sportive jest
She hid from her lord in that old oak chest;
It closed with a spring-and, dreadful doom,
The bride lay clasped in a living tomb!
Oh! the mistletoe bough!