Page type: lyric reference
Artist: John Wesley Harding
Canonical path: /john-wesley-harding/lambkin
Related lyric paths: 6
Lyric guide
Lambkin
Read Lambkin lyrics by John Wesley Harding on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
Lambkin
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
Lambkin was as good a mason
As ever laid a stone
He built Lord Murray's castle
Murray paid him none
Lambkin came down to the house
When Murray's far from home
He came to get his silver
Murray paid him none
All the doors were shut up tight
All the windows pinned
But there was a false false nurse
Lambkin he slipped in
Where's the lady of the house?
Asked Lambkin to the nurse
She's in her chamber sewing
She will not come down
Where's the heir of the house?
Asked Lambkin to the nurse
He's lying in his cradle
Stick him with a pin
Lambkin pricked that baby
All over with a pin
The nurse held up a basin
For the blood all to run in.
Mistress dear, Mistress dear
Hear your baby cry
If you don't come down to help
He will surely die
Lady Murray come downstairs
Not thinking any harm
Lambkin he awaited her
Took her by the arm
Spare my life! Spare my life!
Spare my life so sweet
And you shall have as many coins
As stones lie in the street
Shall I kill her, Lambkin said
Or shall I let her be
Kill her, Lambkin said the nurse
She was never good to me
Scour the silver basin, nurse
Scour it fair and clean
Then hold up the silver
For her blood all to run in
Before the silver basin was
Both scour-ed fair and clean
Lady Murray's life blood
Was dripping on the stone
Murray has arrived at home
Opened up the door
When he saw his dear wife
Dead upon the floor
"There's murder in the kitchen, sir
Slaughter in the hall
Lambkin's killed your son and heir
Your lady fair and all"
Lambkin shall be hung to death
On a gallows high
And the nurse's body shall be burnt
In an oven that's near by
Here you are then, Lambkin
I'll give you your fee
The false nurse shall be burned
And you'll be hanged upon a tree
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "Lambkin"?
John Wesley Harding performs "Lambkin", and this lyric page sits inside the John Wesley Harding catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "Lambkin"?
Yes. The related section below points to Bad Dream Baby and Do Not Fear The Dark with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by John Wesley Harding?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through John Wesley Harding's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on Lambkin yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.