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Riddles Wisely Expounded

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Bbmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
Bb Bb Eb F Bb F Bb F Bb
[Verse 1]
There were three Bbsisters in the north
Lay the Bbbend to the bonny broom
And they lived Gmin their mother’s Fhouse
And you’ll Bbbeguile a lady Ebsoon 
There came a Bbman one evening late
Lay the Bbbend to the bonny broom
And he came Gmknocking at the Fgate
And you’ll Bbbeguile a lady Ebsoon (fill out chord)
[Verse 2]
The eldest Bbsister let him in
Lay the Bbbend to the bonny broom
And locked the Gmdoor with a silver Fpin
And you’ll Bbbeguile a lady Ebsoon
The second Bbsister made his bed
Lay the Bbbend to the bonny broom
And laid soft Gmpillows ‘neath his Fhead
And you’ll Bbbeguile a lady Ebsoon
The youngest Bbsister, fair and bright
Lay the Bbbend to the bonny broom
She lay beGmside him all through the Fnight
And you’ll Bbbeguile a lady Ebsoon (fill out chord)
[Instrumental]
 Bb   Bb   Eb   F   Bb   F(2x)
[Verse 3]
And in the Bbmorning, come the day
Lay the Bbbend to the bonny broom
She said, “Young Gmman, will you marry Fme?”
And you’ll Bbbeguile a lady Ebsoon
And he said, “BbYes, I’ll marry thee
Lay the Bbbend to the bonny broom
If you can Gmanswer this to Fme”
And you’ll Bbbeguile a lady Ebsoon (fill out chord)
[Verse 4]
“What is Bbgreener than the grass?
Lay the Bbbend to the bonny broom
And what is Gmsmoother than the Fglass?”
And you’ll Bbbeguile a lady Ebsoon
“What is Bblouder than a horn?
Lay the Bbbend to the bonny broom
And what is Gmsharper than a Fthorn?”
And you’ll Bbbeguile a lady Ebsoon
“What is Bbdeeper than the sea?
Lay the Bbbend to the bonny broom
And what is Gmlonger than the Fway?”
And you’ll Bbbeguile a lady Ebsoon (fill out chord)
[Verse 5] - Minimal. Focus on vocal
“Envy’s Bbgreener than the grass
Lay the Bbbend to the bonny broom
Flattery’s Gmsmoother than the Fglass”
And you’ll Bbbeguile a lady Ebsoon
“Rumor’s louder tBbhan a horn
Lay the Bbbend to the bonny broom
Slander’s Gmsharper than a Fthorn”
And you’ll Bbbeguile a lady Ebsoon
“Regret is Bbdeeper than the sea
Lay the Bbbend to the bonny broom
But love is Gmlonger than the Fway”
(Silent linBbe)Eb  
[Instrumental]
 Bb   Bb   Gm   F   Bb   Eb(2x) (fill out chord)
[Verse 6] Forte. Strum Harder.
The eldest Bbsister rang the bell
Lay the Bbbend to the bonny broom
She rang it Gmfrom the highest Fhill
And you’ll Bbbeguile a lady Ebsoon
The second sBbister made the gown
Lay the Bbbend to the bonny broom
She sewed it Gmof the silk so Ffine
And you’ll Bbbeguile a lady Ebsoon
The youngest sBbister, true and wise
Lay the Bbbend to the bonny broom
They’ve made of Gmher a lovely Fbride
And you’ll Bbbeguile a lady Ebsoon (fill out chord)
[Verse 7] - Minimal. Focus on Vocal
And now fair mBbaids, I bid adieu
Lay the Bbbend to the bonny broom
These parting Gmwords I’ll leave with Fyou
And you’ll Bbbeguile a lady Ebsoon
May you always coBbnstant prove
Lay the Bbbend to the bonny broom
Unto the Gmone that you do Flove
       Bb              Eb
[Outro]
 Bb   Bb   Gm   F   Bb   Eb(fill out chord)

All chords in this song (4)

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Riddles Wisely Expounded

by Anaïs Mitchell

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

Bb Bb Eb F Bb F Bb F Bb

[Verse 1]

There were three sisters in the north

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Gm F

And they lived in their mother’s house

Bb Eb

And you’ll beguile a lady soon

There came a man one evening late

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Gm F

And he came knocking at the gate

Bb Eb

And you’ll beguile a lady soon (fill out chord)

[Verse 2]

The eldest sister let him in

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Gm F

And locked the door with a silver pin

Bb Eb

And you’ll beguile a lady soon

The second sister made his bed

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Gm F

And laid soft pillows ‘neath his head

Bb Eb

And you’ll beguile a lady soon

The youngest sister, fair and bright

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Gm F

She lay beside him all through the night

Bb Eb

And you’ll beguile a lady soon (fill out chord)

[Instrumental]

Bb Bb Eb F Bb F

(2x)

[Verse 3]

And in the morning, come the day

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Gm F

She said, “Young man, will you marry me?”

Bb Eb

And you’ll beguile a lady soon

And he said, “Yes, I’ll marry thee

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Gm F

If you can answer this to me”

Bb Eb

And you’ll beguile a lady soon (fill out chord)

[Verse 4]

“What is greener than the grass?

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Gm F

And what is smoother than the glass?”

Bb Eb

And you’ll beguile a lady soon

“What is louder than a horn?

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Gm F

And what is sharper than a thorn?”

Bb Eb

And you’ll beguile a lady soon

“What is deeper than the sea?

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Gm F

And what is longer than the way?”

Bb Eb

And you’ll beguile a lady soon (fill out chord)

[Verse 5] - Minimal. Focus on vocal

“Envy’s greener than the grass

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Gm F

Flattery’s smoother than the glass”

Bb Eb

And you’ll beguile a lady soon

“Rumor’s louder than a horn

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Gm F

Slander’s sharper than a thorn”

Bb Eb

And you’ll beguile a lady soon

“Regret is deeper than the sea

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Gm F

But love is longer than the way”

Bb Eb

(Silent line)

[Instrumental]

Bb Bb Gm F Bb Eb

(2x) (fill out chord)

[Verse 6] Forte. Strum Harder.

The eldest sister rang the bell

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Gm F

She rang it from the highest hill

Bb Eb

And you’ll beguile a lady soon

The second sister made the gown

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Gm F

She sewed it of the silk so fine

Bb Eb

And you’ll beguile a lady soon

The youngest sister, true and wise

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Gm F

They’ve made of her a lovely bride

Bb Eb

And you’ll beguile a lady soon (fill out chord)

[Verse 7] - Minimal. Focus on Vocal

And now fair maids, I bid adieu

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Gm F

These parting words I’ll leave with you

Bb Eb

And you’ll beguile a lady soon

May you always constant prove

Lay the bend to the bonny broom

Gm F

Unto the one that you do love

Bb Eb

[Outro]

Bb Bb Gm F Bb Eb

(fill out chord)

About Riddles Wisely Expounded Tab by Anaïs Mitchell

Learn how to play Riddles Wisely Expounded by Anaïs Mitchell with free guitar tab, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Riddles Wisely Expounded chords”, “Riddles Wisely Expounded guitar chords”, or “Anaïs Mitchell Riddles Wisely Expounded chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Riddles Wisely Expounded chords and for experienced players who want accurate Riddles Wisely Expounded lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Bb, Eb, F, Gm.

FAQ — Riddles Wisely Expounded by Anaïs Mitchell

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The tab for "Riddles Wisely Expounded" show the original chord names (including Bb, Eb, F, Gm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.