Riddles Wisely Expounded
Love's Riddles: A Tale of Sisters and a Valiant Knight
Lyrics
There were three sisters fair and bright
There were three sisters who were beautiful and radiant
And they three loved one valiant knight
These sisters all loved the same courageous man
The eldest sister let him in
The eldest sister allowed the knight to enter
And barred the door with a silver pin
She secured the entrance by using a silver pin to bar the door
The second sister made his bed
The second sister prepared a bed for him
And placed soft pillows under his head
She arranged soft pillows for him to rest his head upon
Jennifer gentle and rosemaree
Two names, possibly referring to characters or symbolic figures
As the dew flies over the mulberry tree
An expression indicating something passing swiftly
The youngest sister, fair and bright
The youngest sister, also beautiful, was determined to marry the knight
Was resolved for to wed with this valiant knight
She had decided to wed this brave man
And if you can answer questions three
The knight challenged her to answer three questions
O then, fair maid, I will marry with thee
He promised to marry her if she succeeded
What is louder than an horn
A question about something louder than a horn
And what is sharper than a thorn?
Inquiring about something sharper than a thorn
What is heavier than the lead
Asking about something heavier than lead
And what s better than the bread
Seeking something better than bread
What is broader than the way
Questioning what is broader than a way
And what is deeper than the sea?
Curious about something deeper than the sea
Thunder is louder than an horn
Answers to the first two questions: Thunder and hunger
And hunger is sharper than a thorn
Responses to the second pair of questions: Sin and blessings
Sin is heavier than the lead
Replies to the last set of inquiries: Love and hell
The blessing’s better than the bread
Love is broader than the way
-And hell is deeper than the sea
-Love is broader than the way
-And hell is deeper than the sea
-And now, fair maid, I will marry with thee
The knight accepts her answers and agrees to marry her
Now, fair maid, I will marry with thee
He reaffirms his willingness to marry her
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