Silverblade - Josh Ritter

I have myself a silver blade

The edge is sharp the handle bone

A little thing of silver made

Now it’s the only thing I own

Once I knew a lordling fine

I heard him whistle as he rode

And I was bold to call him mine

The shoes upon his horse were gold

One look in my eyes and he

Bid me climb onto his horse

He asked if I’d his lady be

And go away forever more

He spoke of love songs in each kiss

And I who was a young girl then

Was promised every young girl’s bliss

Got up and rode away with him

He led me to his castle tall

With promises and jewels until

He led me through his castle hall

Then took my clothes and worked his will

And when he had and I lay there

From my head with a silver blade

He cut a lock of coal black hair

And bid me dress and go my way

But I marked well the silver blade

And where he set it when he did

And when his back was turned I laid

It buried deep beneath his ribs

I used my dagger as a spade

Where the thorns and lilacs grow

Cut the ground into a grave

In a place even God don’t know

And every evening I returned

To the place for him I’d chose

Until his skin had turned to worms

Wild dogs scattered his bones

And all I have of what I was

Is the memory of a maid

Who mistook a thief for love

But who gained a silver blade