LASZLO THEA (ANNA THEA, LASZLO FEHER)
(learned at Teton Tea Party in the 1960s; recorded by Judy Collins;- apparently a Hungarian folk song collected by Bela Bartok
- and translated by A.L.Lloyd; the name is also given as Laszlo Feher;
- the tune is also attributed to Lydia Wood, unknown date;
- maybe she polished it up)
Laszlo Thea stole a stallion, stole it from the Misty Mountains
Word was brought to Anna Thea, that her brother lay in prison
Judge, oh judge, please spare my brother, I will give you gold and silver,
Anna Thea, hold, my sister, are you mad with grief and sorrow?
Anna Thea did not heed him, to that judge she came a-running,
Cursed be that judge so cruel, thirteen years may he lie bleeding
Anna Thea, Anna Thea, do not go into the forest
Laszlo Thea stole a stallion, stole it from the Misty Mountains
(from miriam berg's folksong collection)
And they followed and they've caught him, and in iron chains they've bound him
Bring me gold and six white horses, I will buy my brother's freedom
I don't want your gold and silver, all I want are your sweet favors.
He will rob you of your flower, and he'll hang me from the gallows.
In his golden bed at midnight, there she heard the gallows groaning
Thirteen doctors can't heal him, thirteen shelves of drugs can't heal him.
There among the green pines standing, you will find your brother hanging.
And they've followed and they caught him, and in iron chains they've bound him.