Fair Janet

Fair Janet (Roud 44, Child 64) is an English-language folk ballad.

[1] Janet is in love with Willie, but her father insists on her marrying a French lord.

In many variants, the bridegroom swears that no church bells will ring for her, and Willie that they all will.

In most, Willie dies within a day, and those where he does not, the story cuts off.

Scandinavian and German ballads show many parallels with this one, although none decisive enough to point to a common origin.