The Cruel Sister
Read The Cruel Sister lyrics by Old Blind Dogs on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
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.
The Cruel Sister
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.
There lived a lady by the north sea shore
Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom
Twa daughters were the bairns she bore
Fa la la la la la la la la la
One was as bright as is the sun
Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom
Sae coal black grew the elder one
Fa la la la la la la la la la
A knight came riding to the ladies' door
Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom
He travelled far to be their wooer
Fa la la la la la la la la la
He courted one, aye with gloves and rings
Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom
But he loved the other above all things
Fa la la la la la la la la la
Sister, sister won't you walk with me
Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom
An' see the ships sail upon sea?
Fa la la la la la la la la la
And as they stood on that windy shore
Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom
The elder sister pushed the younger o'er
Fa la la la la la la la la la
Sometimes she sank or sometimes she swam
Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom
Crying: Sister, reach to me your hand
Fa la la la la la la la la la
And there she floated just like a swan
Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom
The salt sea carried her body on
Fa la la la la la la la la la
Two minstrels walking by the north sea strand
Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom
They saw the maiden, aye float to land
Fa la la la la la la la la la
They made a harp out of her breast bone
Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom
The sound of which would melt a heart of stone
Fa la la la la la la la la la
They took three locks of her yellow hair
Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom
And wi' them strung that harp so rare
Fa la la la la la la la la la
The first string that those minstrels tried
Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom
Then terror seized the black-haired bride
Fa la la la la la la la la la
The second string played a doleful sound
Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom
The younger sister, oh she is drowned
Fa la la la la la la la la la
The third string, it played beneath their bow
Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom
And surely now her tears will flow
Fa la la la la la la la la la
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "The Cruel Sister"?
Old Blind Dogs performs "The Cruel Sister", and this lyric page sits inside the Old Blind Dogs catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "The Cruel Sister"?
Yes. The related section below points to Reres Hill and Forfar Sodger with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Old Blind Dogs?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Old Blind Dogs's lyric pages.
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.
What people are saying
No listener comments on The Cruel Sister 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.