Category: Storytelling

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Lovers’ Farewell

“Leaning toward the river” photographed by Sandy Ross Bender at Washington Crossing State Park, Pennsylvania on November 15, 2025.
Lovers’ Farewell” music composed, arranged,* and performed with vocals, guitar, and concertina by Sandy Ross Bender on November 15, 2025.

My lover did come ere evensong,

And he give me farewell,

But the wars that took him to the Low Country

He never a war did tell,

But the wars that took him to the Low Country

He never a war did tell.

Oh, he did go to the bloody wars,

His lance and his shield a-glisten,

While his lady did weep in her bowing-room,

And none was there to listen.

While his lady did weep in her bowing-room,

And none was there to listen.

Down fell he there, and there to die,

In the wet of the Low Country,

And no man knows that he lies there

But his horse and his hound and his lady Mary.

And no man knows that he lies there

But his horse and his hound and his lady Mary,

Oh, he may sleep in an open grave,

Where raven fly and flutter,

But I will wake on my pallet of grief,

And many a cry will utter.

But I will wake on my pallet of grief,

And many a cry will utter.

*Note: Ballad lyrics documented by John Jacob Niles (No. 17 A -traditional form of “The Three Ravens” (Francis James Child No. 26},

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Don’t give up the fight, mates!

“Red goblin” painted and drawn with mixed media by Sanford Ross Bender some time ago.
“Don’t give up the fight, mates!” composed and performed with mandolin and guitar by Sanford Ross Bender on July 6, 2025.
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Soldier’s remorse

Coastal view from the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, New Harbor, Maine photographed by Sanford Ross Bender in July 6, 2024.
“Soldier’s remorse” composed and performed with guitar, clarinet, and concertina by Sanford Ross Bender on August 10, 2024.

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Spilt bacon blues

“Spilt bacon blues” improvised with guitar and harmonica by Sanford Ross Bender on July 7, 2027
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Carnival of bygone days

“Ocean City. NJ amusement park” photographed by Sanford R. Bender in the summer of 2023
“Carnival of bygone days” composed and performed with clarinet, concertina, and guitar by Sanford R. Bender on March 9, 2024.
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Sir Gaunie and the Witch

“Witching Creek” painted with watercolors by Sanford Ross Bender in May, 1982.

“Sir Gaunie and the Witch” (Niles No. 18) after The Marraiage of Sir Gawain” (Child No. 31) arranged, performed, and recorded by Sanford Ross Bender for vocals and guitar on July 21, 2023.

King Henry was a mighty man,

Who lived in Engeland,

No harm e’re fell on honest folk,

From out of Henry’s hand.

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Sir Gaunie was a noble knight,

Handsome for to see,

And he’s to marry with a witch,

To save King Henery.

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The witch from out the deep, green wood,

Told Henry what to say,

She told him that a woman always,

Wanted for her way.

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King Henry answered well and true.

He spake so bright, so gay

The Baron sadly hung his head.

And sadly rode away.

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Sir Gaunie was a noble knight,

And many a tear was shed,

The day he married with a witch,

And taken her to bed.

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‘Twas then she turned a princess fair,

And though they all did try,

No fairer one was ever seen,

With sight of human eye.

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The Soldier and the Lady

“The Soldier and the Lady” arranged and sung by Sandy Ross Bender with guitar and concertina on May 25, 2023 and based on “The Soldier and his Lady” (Niles No. 65 B) from “The Ballad Book” compiled by John Jacob Niles in 1960.

A soldier come from Georgia way,

Of ridin’ he was weary.

He tingled on the side-door ring

To hearken up his lady.

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She’s took him by the bridle line,

She’s led him to the stable.

“Here’s oats, here’s corn, here’s hay for your horse,

Let him eat what he is able.”

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She’s took him by the lily-white hand,

She’s led him to the table.

“Here’s cakes and wine for you, my dear,

Come eat what you are able.”

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She’s went to smooth his downy bed,

And she smoothed it like a lady,

And off she took her red, red dress,

Said, “Dearie, are you ready?”

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Off come his bugle soldier’s coat,

Off come his boots of leather,

And quickly into bed he jumped,

And there they lay together.

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He held her high, he held her low,

For hours one, two. and three,

When the bugle blew, she did fear so much

Did sound forth cruelly.

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“When shall we meet and marry, dear,

If you cannot tarry?”

“When cockle-shells turn silver bells,

‘Tis then that we shall marry.”

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“The Sweep of the Bow’ drawn with pen and ink by Sandy Ross Bender
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Fairytale kisses

“Fairytale kisses” painted with watercolors by Sanford Ross Bender once upon a time
“Fairytale” improvised with guitar and concertina by Sanford Ross Bender on January 6, 2023

“Fairytales are so described by those who may not have believed what they saw, smelled, tasted, touched, and heard.” SRB

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Night Flowers

“Night Flowers” photographed in Tyler Park, Pennsylvania by Sanford Ross Bender on October 23, 2022
“The Wayfaring Stranger” played on five string banjo by Sanford Ross Bender on October 24, 2022

“The Wayfaring Stranger” is a “well-known American folk and gospel song likely originating in the early 19th century about a plaintive soul on the journey through life” – Wikipedia.

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Timmy, oh Timmy, where have you gone?

“The backyard” painted with acrylics on canvas by Sandy Ross Bender
“Timmy, oh Timmy, where have you gone?” composed, performed, and recorded by Sandy Ross Bender with guitar and concertina on April 17, 2022.