Martin Simpson - Lakes Of Champlain Lyrics
Airly one morning young William arose.It's off to his comrade's bedchamber he goes,Saying, "Comrade, royal comrade, rise and let no oneKnowFor this is a fine morning and bathing we'll go."They both walked along till they came to a long lane.The first one they met was the keeper of game,And he wished them in his heart to return back again,But the fate of Young William was to die in a wateryMain.Young William stripped ofF and he swum the lake round,He swum to an island but not in dry ground,Saying, "Comrade, royal comrade, do not venture inFor there's deep and false waters in the lakes ofChamplain."Airly next morning his sister aroseAnd off to her mother's bedchamber she goes,Saying, "Mother, dearest Mother, I dream'd a true dreamThat Young William was floating in a watery stream."It was airly next morning his mother came thereWringing her fingers and tearing her hairSaying, "Was there nobody byThat would venture their life for my fine darling boy?"Airly next morning his uncle came there.He rowed round the strand like a man in despair.His uncle stripped himself and swum the lake roundAnd he swum to the island where William was found.Saying, "Comrade, royal comrade, do not venture inFor there's deep and false waters in the lakes ofChamplain."*The day of his funeral, it was a great sight.Four and twenty young men all dressed in white.They took him up to Mary's church and laid him in theClaySaying, "Farewell, lovely William, forever and a day."God help his poor mother, she's got reason to mournAnd likewise his sweetheart for I'm sure she has more,For every other morning he did her saluteWith pinks and red roses and fine garden fruit.*For these two lines, repeat tune for lines 3 and 4From The New Green Mountain Songster, Flanders et al.Collected from Mrs. E.M. Sullivan, VTNote: Flanders thinks this is a degenerate form ofBalladIn which young man is taken by a water witch whoDesires him.
