In Bristol Town One Bright Day

In Bristol town one bright day a stranger he came riding
No work he sought but a fair-haired maid to stay the night beside him

His clothes they hung upon his frame, the face he wore was solemn
And on his lips the strangest words seemed so meek and common

Rock dove fly east toward your prey across the clouds of heaven
His tracks run down from Bristol town to the Iron Mountains

Rock dove go rouse a fair-haired girl, in the Iron Hills she's lying
Cold moonlight upon her breast, a white sheet round her winding

Oh Ellen Moore, your mother's pride, its' shame tonight you've brought her
For by you sleeps a stranger, at your feet another's daughter

Wake up, wake up, the chill wind cries, the mare shies in the stable
Gone the young man from your bed, the child from her crdadle

She ran out in the midnight field as fast her heart bled hollow
Her fists rained down on the moveless earth, her cries the dark did swallow

Rock dove fly west toward town, the church bells they are tolling
For on this night the Prince of Death a harlot's heart has stolen

In Bristol town one bright day a stranger he came riding
No work he sought but a fair-haired maid to stay the night beside him