In Bristol town one bright day a stranger he came riding
No work he sought but a fair-haired maid to stay the night beside him
His clothes they hung upon his frame, the face he wore was solemn
And on his lips the strangest words seemed so meek and common
Rock dove fly east toward your prey across the clouds of heaven
His tracks run down from Bristol town to the Iron Mountains
Rock dove go rouse a fair-haired girl, in the Iron Hills she's lying
Cold moonlight upon her breast, a white sheet round her winding
Oh Ellen Moore, your mother's pride, its' shame tonight you've brought her
For by you sleeps a stranger, at your feet another's daughter
Wake up, wake up, the chill wind cries, the mare shies in the stable
Gone the young man from your bed, the child from her crdadle
She ran out in the midnight field as fast her heart bled hollow
Her fists rained down on the moveless earth, her cries the dark did swallow
Rock dove fly west toward town, the church bells they are tolling
For on this night the Prince of Death a harlot's heart has stolen
In Bristol town one bright day a stranger he came riding
No work he sought but a fair-haired maid to stay the night beside him