Old Songs 225
Rarefala, rarefala,
This song was sung at evening gatherings by a single voice. The parts where the lady spoke were sung in a higher key than the rest,
the ballad of lord lovell
As sung in New England in 1830
Lord Lovell he stood at his castle gate,
A-combing his milk-white steed,
When along came Lady Nancy Bell
To wish her fond lover good speed.
“Oh, where are you going, Lord Lovell?” she said,
“Qh, where are you going?” said she.
“I’m a-going, my Lady Nancy Bell,
Strange countries for to see.”
“Oh, when will you be back?” Lady Nancy she said,
“Oh, when will you be back?” said she,
“In a year or two, or three at the most,
I return to your fair bodee.”
He hadn’t been gone but a year and a day
Strange countries for to see,
When languishing thoughts came into his mind,
Lady Nancy Bell he would go see.
