The Oxford Book of Ballads - online book

A Selection Of The Best English Lyric Ballads Chosen & Edited by Arthur Quiller-Couch

Home Main Menu Singing & Playing Order & Order Info Support Search Easter Hymns



Share page  Visit Us On FB

Previous Contents Next
DURHAM FIELD
XLII
The Bishop of Durham commanded his men,
And shortlye he them bade, That never a man shold goe to fight
Till he had served his God.
XLIII
Five hundred priests said mass that day
In Durham in the field, And afterwards, as I hard say,
They bare both spear and shield.
XLIV
The Bishop orders himselfe to fight,
With his battell-axe in his hand; He said, ' This day now I will fight
As long as I can stand! '
XLV
' And soe will I,' sayd my Lord of Carlile,
' In this faire morning gay '; 'And soe will I,' said my Lord Fitzwilliams,
' For Mary, that mild may.'
XLVI
Our English archers bent their bowes
Shortly and anon; They shot over the Scottish oast
And scantly toucht a man.
XLVII
' Hold downe your hands,' sayd the Bishop of Durham,
' My archers good and true' ! The second shoote that they shott,
Full sore the Scots it rue.
may] maiden.
647
Previous Contents Next