Stephen

[ Roud 3963 ; Child 22 ; Ballad Index C022 ; trad.]

Gay Woods sang Stephen, an adaption of Child 22, Saint Stephen and Herod, by Tim Harries, in 2000 on Steeleye Span’s CD Bedlam Born. The verse melody was adapted from St. Nicholas, Godes Druth by St Godric (12^th century), the other music written by Tim Harries.

Folk och Rackare sang a Swedish version of this Child ballad, Staffan och Herodes, in 1978 on their album Rackarspel and in 1981 on their album Stjärnhästen.

Lyrics

Steeleye Span sing Stephen

Stephen was a stable groom
He watered five foals all and some
Ere the morning star was risen
Nor daylight to be seen.

He saw a star was fair and bright
Over Bed’lem standing
Of a truth the Prophet now is born
That all the world shall ransom.

He leads the foals from water
By that star so gleaming
And he is gone into the hall
Where Herod sat a-musing.

There is a child in Bed’lem born
And he is better than we all
Herod answered thus to him
I’ll not believe your story.

I’ll not believe your story boy
Till the ragged bird that is on the board
Claps his wings and crows “My Lord
in truth it is His birthday.”

Now Herod sat and He did wait
The bird came together on the plate
Feathered was he never so fair
As he flew up on the red-gold chair.

He clapped his wings and he crew so fair
“My Lord it is His birthday”
And Herod down from His kingly seat
In grief has fell a-swooning.

Stephen was a stable groom
He watered five foals all and some
Ere the morning star was risen
Nor daylight to be seen.