130
Sweet William and Nancy
This seems to be an elaboration of the song sometimes called
'Courting Too Slow' (see BSM 196) with the addition of certain
stanzas from 'Green Grows the Laurel' (see BSM 490). Or per-
haps it is the earlier form of the 'Courting Too Slow' song. In its
present form I have not found it elsewhere. Cf. 'Johnny Doyle,'
just above.
'Sweet William and Nancy.' Reported by Thomas Smith of Zionville,
Watauga county, as "recited to me February 6, 1915, by Mrs. Rhoda
Wilson, Silverstone. She learned it from a singing-school teacher, she
says, well beyond 50 years ago. She is 65 or thereabouts." Mrs. Daisy
Jones Couch of Durham also knew the first stanza.
1 She's neat and she's rare, she's neat to behold,
And the rings on her fingers is bright glittering gold.
2 She's neat and she's rare, she's proper, she's tall,
Her modest behavior doth far exceed all.
3 I've been well educated in the days of my youth.
In young women's company very much introduced.
4 I've been enclosed by my saddened downfall.
My love she's enclosed by the line of the stone wall.
5 Green grows the laurel, also grows the rue.
So loath I am to part with you.
6 But after next meeting our joys we'll renew.
So we'll change the green and yellow for the orange or blue.
OLDER BALLADS — MOSTLY BRITISH 367
7 Though she hadn't been gone but scarcely one half year
Until he wrote on and said 'Dearest, be here.'
8 I wrote in my letter for her to be kind
And send me an answer that I might know her mind.
9 She was lawfully married when this letter did go,
And I lost pretty Nancy by courtin' too slow.
10 Oh, many words were spoken when few are the best;
He or she that courts leastly are soonest at rest.
11 Sweet William was taken so sick in the breast,
Saying, 'I'll die for my love since I can't take no rest.'
12 When Nancy heard of it it filled her with grief.
Saying, 'I'll go to him and give him relief.'
13 When she came nigh his bedside.
Saying 'Here is one who might have been my bride,
14 'But she's lawfully married, and I'll die for her sake.'
She laid her arms around him and felt his heart break.
15 'Now he's dead, and I hope he's at rest.'
She fainted away and died on his breast.
16 Sweet William he died by the bitter grove,
He left none but small birds to make mourn.
17 Small birds are singin' and makin' mourn,
Ofttimes troubled and singin' when I am alone.
----
130
Sweet William and Nancy
"Sweet William and Nancy.' Sung by Mrs. Rhoda Wilson. Recorded as ms
score at Silverstone, Watauga county, February 6, 191 5. The structure of the
music requires the stanzas as given in II 366, to be grouped in pairs.
Scale: Hexachordal, plagal. Tonal Center: a-flat. Structure: aa^baS (2,2,2,2)
= Reprisenbar.