ROSE OF THE WORLD

I am a harp I am a songbird I am folly and delight, I am the
King's own joy I am the morning to his night I am the
Rose-of-all-the-World, I am my Lord's own to command I am the
Centre of the maze I am a flower in his hand

Rosamund will bribe the watchman with a flower, with a kiss
Rosamund will take a lantern lest her pretty footsteps miss
Rosamund has won the favour of the King - and she must go
Where his message bids her meet him where his other roses grow.

Rosamund will bribe the watchman with a favour, with a smile
Rosamund will take no keeper with her on the final mile
Rosamund has drawn the notice of the Queen; and she must die
Where the Queen's own guard have caught her, apple of the royal eye.

Rosamund will first be blinded (The rose is torn, the rose is rent)
Rosamund will then be beaten (petal, thorn and beauty spent)
Rosamund will then be murdered (Cut the rose's pretty throat)
Rose's blood will stain the roses Rose's body spoil the moat

Rose's blood upon the swans that were as white as Rose's skin
Rose's blood flows nowhere living neither had she kith nor kin
When she comes to to the gardern twice the king has waited there
Other beauties win his favour other flowers win his care

But the watchman still remembers song and smile, kiss and rose
All she sang and all she suffered no-one but the watchman knows.

I am a harp I am a songbird I am folly and delight, I am the
King's own joy I am the morning to his night I am the
Rose-of-all-the-World, I am my Lord's own to command I am the
Centre of the maze