Son David - The Acoustic Music Archive

Scottish Songs

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<h1>Son David - Chords, Lyrics and Origins</h1>
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<h2>Origins</h2>
Son David, as performed by June Tabor and the Oysterband, is a traditional murder ballad. It is a variant of the ballad, 'Edward', which is also known as 'What Put the Blood'.
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<h2>Chords</h2>
Capo at 3rd Fret G What's the blood on the point of your sword, G O Son David, my Son David? G What's the blood on the point of your sword, G F C Promise, tell me true? G That's the blood of my grey mare G O Lady Mother, my Lady Mother; G That's the blood of my grey mare - G F C She would not rule by me. G Your grey mare's blood was never so red, G O Son David, my Son David; G Your grey mare's blood was never so red, G F C Promise, tell me true? Em That's the blood of my hawking hound, D O Lady Mother, my Lady Mother; C That's the blood of my hawking hound, C F C She would not rule by me. G Your hawking hound's blood was never so clear, G O Son David, my Son David; G Your hawking hound's blood was never so clear, G F C Promise, tell me true? Em That's the blood of my brother John, D O Lady Mother, my Lady Mother; C That's the blood of my brother John, C F C He drew his sword to me. Em What did you fall out about, D O Son David, my Son David? C It's all for a little holly bush C F C That'll never grow to a tree. G I'll set my foot on a bottomless boat, G O Lady Mother, my Lady Mother; G Set my foot on a bottomless boat, G F C Sail upon the sea. G When will you come back again, G O Son David, my Son David? G When will you come back again? G F C Promise, tell me true? Em When the Sun and Moon meet in yonder glen, D O Lady Mother, my Lady Mother; C When the Sun and Moon meet in yonder glen, C F C And that will never be.
<h2>Lyrics</h2>
What's the blood on the point of your sword, O Son David, my Son David? What's the blood on the point of your sword, Promise, tell me true?
That's the blood of my grey mare O Lady Mother, my Lady Mother; That's the blood of my grey mare - She would not rule by me.
Your grey mare's blood was never so red, O Son David, my Son David; Your grey mare's blood was never so red, Promise, tell me true.
 That's the blood of my hawking hound, O Lady Mother, my Lady Mother; That's the blood of my hawking hound, She would not rule by me.
Your hawking hound's blood was never so clear, O Son David, my Son David; Your hawking hound's blood was never so clear, Promise, tell me true.
That's the blood of my brother John, O Lady Mother, my Lady Mother; That's the blood of my brother John, He drew his sword to me.
What did you fall out about, O Son David, my Son David? It's all for a little holly bush That'll never grow to a tree.
I'll set my foot on a bottomless boat, O Lady Mother, my Lady Mother; Set my foot on a bottomless boat, Sail upon the sea.
When will you come back again, O Son David, my Son David? When will you come back again? Promise, tell me true.
When the Sun and Moon meet in yonder glen, O Lady Mother, my Lady Mother; When the Sun and Moon meet in yonder glen, And that will never be.