"Silver Blade" lyrics - JOAN BAEZ

I have myself a silver blade
The edges sharp, the handle bone
A pretty 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
I was bold enough to call him mine
Shoes upon his horse were gold
Shoes were gold

One look in my eyes and he
Bid me climb onto his horse
And asked if I'd his lady be
And come away for ever more?

He spoke of love songs at each kiss
And I who was a young girl then
Was promissed every young girls bliss
Got up and rode away with him

He took me to his castle tall,
With promises and jewels until
He led me through his castle hall
Then he 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 cold black hair
And bid me dress and go my way
Go my way

But well I marked the silver blade
Where he sat it when he did
And when his back was turned
I laid it very deep beneath his ribs

I used my dagger as a spade
Where the thorns and lilacs grow
I cut the ground into a grave
In place that even God don't know

And every evening I returned
To the place for him I chose
Until his skin had turned to worms
Wild dogs scattered around 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
Silver blade