"Fair Ellender" is a traditional English folk ballad that tells the story of a young woman named Ellender who is faced with a choice between marrying a wealthy suitor known as Lord Thomas or staying with her mother. The song begins with Ellender seeking advice from her father on whether to marry Lord Thomas or choose a simpler life with a brown girl who has property. Ellender's father decides to visit Lord Thomas to gather more information about him. He rides on his horse until he reaches Lord Thomas' home where he finds Ellender eagerly waiting for him. Lord Thomas invites Ellender to his sorrowful wedding, where she becomes aware that she is not the only bride. Ellender's mother expresses her concerns about Ellender leaving and fears that she may never see her daughter again. Despite her mother's worries, Ellender decides to attend the wedding. As she travels, people mistake her for a queen because of her beautiful attire. Upon reaching Lord Thomas' hall, Ellender is welcomed warmly by him. He praises her beauty in front of his guests, proclaiming her as the "flower of all." However, the brown girl, who is also present at the wedding, becomes jealous and plots to harm Ellender. Using a sharp knife, she stabs and kills Ellender. In a tragic turn of events, Lord Thomas witnesses the murder and, consumed by grief and guilt, takes his own life with the same knife. The song concludes with Lord Thomas requesting his father to bury him alongside Ellender in their grave, with the brown girl at his feet. Jerry Garcia and David Grisman's rendition of the traditional ballad "Fair Ellender" adds their unique musical style and interpretation to the timeless story of love and tragedy.
