154
You Are False, but Fll Forgive You
The three texts assembled under this title might perhaps have
been entered under 'Fond Affection.' Their theme is the same.
But they use little of the preferred imagery of that composite song,
and do maintain something approaching an identity of their own.
Two of them are from the same contributors who supplied the A
and the H texts of 'Fond Affection,' showing apparently that they
considered it a different song. Davis (FSV 88) reports it as in
the Virginia collection. Randolph (OFS iv 214) reports it from
Missouri.
'You Are False, but I'll Forgive You.' From Miss Pearl Webb of
Pineola, Avery county, March 24, 1909.
1 Fare thee well, for once I loved you
Even more than tongue can tell ;
Little did I think you'd leave me ;
Now I bid you all farewell.
You have wrecked the heart I cherished.
You have doomed me day by day,
You are false; but Fll forgive you.
But forget you I never may.
2 When I saw your eyes in virtue,
I could scarce believe my own ;
When I heard your voice in anger
It was death to every tone.
They have told you some false stories
And you believed them all they say.
You are false, but Fll forgive you;
But forget you I never may.
3 One more word and all is over.
Why are you unkind to me?
Tell me why you do not love me,
Turn aside — how can it be?
No word, not one word of pleasure,
You believe them all they say.
You are false; but Fll forgive you.
But forget you I never may.
OLDER BALLADS — MOSTLY BRITISH 4O9
B
'You Were False.' From the manuscript songbook of Mrs. Mary Martin
Copley, Route 8, Durham — from whom came also version A of 'Fond
Affection.'
1 Fare thee well, for once I loved thee
Even more than tongue can tell.
Little did I think you'd leave me,
That we'd ever say farewell.
2 You have wrecked the heart that loved you.
You have doomed me day by day,
You were false, but I'll forgive you,
But forget you I never may,
3 Oh ! true love is ever constant,
Not one spark e'er fades away.
You were false, but I forgive you.
But for you I'll always pray.
4 Just one word, and all is over:
Why are you unkind to me ?
Tell me why you do not love me.
Turn aside — how can it be?
5 You have left me for another,
You have turned from me away.
You were false, but I'll forgive you ;
But forget you I never may.
c
'Fare Thee Well.' From Katherine Bernard Jones, Raleigh. No date
given.
1 Fare thee well, for once I loved thee,
Loved you more than tongue can tell,
Little thought you would deceive me ;
Now I bid you fare-thee-well.
You have wrecked the hopes I cherished,
You have doomed me day by day.
You are false, but I'll forgive you:
But forget you I never may.
2 When I saw you rise^ in anguish
I could scarce believe my own ;
When I heard your voice in anger
It was death in every tone.
One more word, and all is over:
Why are you unkind to me?
They have told you some false stories.
But believe them if you may.
* The next line suggests that we should read here "your eyes."
410 NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLORE
You are false, but I'll forgive you ;
But forget you I never may.
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154
You Are False, but I'll Forgive You
'You Are False, but I'll Forgive You.' Sung by Miss Mary Strawbridge. Re-
corded ; no date or place given.
Scale : Heptachordal, plagal. Tonal Center : e-flat. Structure : aa^bai (4,4,4,4)
:= Reprisenbar.