Edward--Modern English Version

Why does your sword so drip with blood,
Edward,Edward,
Why does your sword so drip with blood,
And why so sad go you, O?

O I have killed my hawk so good,
Mother, Mother,
O I have killed my hawk so good,
And I had no other save he, O.

Your hawk's blood was never so red,
Edward, Edward,
Your hawk's blood was never so red,
My dear son I tell you, O.

O I have killed my red roan steed,
Mother,Mother,
O I have killed my red roan steed,
that was so fair and free, O.

Your steed was old and you have got more,
Edward, Edward,
Your steed was old and you have got more,
You suffer some other grief, O.

O I have killed my father dear,
Mother, Mother,
O I have killed my father dear,
Alas and woe is me, O.

And what penance will you do for that,
Edward, Edward,
And what penance will you do for that,
My dear son, now tell me O.

I'll set my foot on yonder ship,
Mother, Mother,
I'll set my foot on yonder ship,
And I'll fare over the sea, O.

And what will you do with your towers and your hall,
Edward, Edward,
And what will you do with your towers and your hall,
that were so fair to see, O?

I'll let them stand till they down fall,
Mother, Mother,
I'll let them stand till they down fall,
For here nevermore may I be, O.

And what will you leave to your children and your wife,
Edward, Edward,
And what will you leave to your children and your wife,
when you go over the see, O?

The world's room, let them beg through life,
Mother, Mother,
The world's room, let them beg through life,
For them will I nevermore see, O.

And what will you leave to your own mother dear,
Edward, Edward,
And what will you leave to your own mother dear,
My dear son now tell me, O.

The curse of hell you shall get from me,
Mother, Mother,
The curse of hell you shall get from me,
Such counsel you gave to me, O.