Long Lankin Lyrics

Steeleye Span Long Lankin

Said the lord unto his lady as he rode over the moss
"Beware of Long Lankin that lives amongst the gorse;
Beware the moss, beware the moor, beware of Long Lankin
Make sure the doors are bolted well
Lest Lankin should creep in."
Said the lord unto his lady as he rode away,
"Beware of Long Lankin that lives amongst the hay;
Beware the moss, beware the moor, beware of Long Lankin
Make sure the doors are bolted well
Lest Lankin should creep in."
"Where's the master of the house?" says Long Lankin.
"He's 'way to London," says the nurse to him.
"Where's the lady of the house?" says Long Lankin.
"She's up in her chamber," says the nurse to him.
"Where's the baby of the house?" says Long Lankin.
"He's asleep in the cradle," says the nurse to him.
"We will pinch him, we will prick him,
     we will stab him with a pin,
And the nurse shall hold the basin
     for the blood all to run in."
So they pinched him and they pricked him,
     then they stabbed him with a pin,
And the false nurse held the basin
     for the blood all to run in.
"Lady, come down the stairs," says Long Lankin.
"How can I see in the dark?" she says unto him.
"You have silver mantles," says Long Lankin.
"Lady, come down the stairs by the light of them."
Down the stairs the lady came, thinking no harm
Lankin he stood ready to catch her in his arms.
There was blood all in the kitchen
There was blood all in the hall
There was blood all in the parlour
Where my lady she did fall
Now Long Lankin shall be hanged
     from the gallows oh so high,
And the false nurse shall be burned
     in the fire close by.
Said the lord unto his lady as he rode over the moss
"Beware of Long Lankin that lives amongst the gorse;
Beware the moss, beware the moor, beware of Long Lankin
Make sure the doors are bolted well
Lest Lankin should creep in."