The Prince of Morocco; or, Johnnie
This story — a sort of reverse of 'The Marriage of Sir Gawain'
and of the later 'The Loathly Bride' and printed as a broadside
about the middle of the eighteenth century (see Barry's note to the
Vermont text, NGMS 40) — has not often been found as traditional
song. In fact, it appears to be known only in three places : Ver-
mont (NGMS 38-40), Arkansas (OFS i 354-6), and North Caro-
lina. These three texts are not very close in their language but
close enough to show that they all go back to one original, doubt-
less a broadside. The eighteenth-century broadside is entitled 'The
Crafty Ploughman's Garland, or The Young Farmer's Policy to
Gain a Fair Lady'; the Vermont version is called 'The Poor Sailor
Boy,' and that from Arkansas 'The Sailor Boy.'
'The Prince of Morocco, or Johnnie.' From the Henneman collection,
which means that it is from the singing of Mrs. Elizabeth Simpkins of
Vanceboro, from whom Henneman got his North Carolina texts, prob-
ably about the beginning of the present century. It is not divided into
stanzas in the manuscript, but the rhymes suggest that it was conceived
as stanzaic and I have accordingly attempted so to arrange it. The
pointing is editorial.
1 Come all you good people, I'll have you draw near
And listen to a love song as I will sing you here.
Well, Johnnie the farmer's young son, I do declare,
Courted a damsel, he loved her so dear.
2 He dressed himself in some outlandish style,
All for to gain his own heart's desire,
And this news so far alies^ was bound
'The Prince of Morocco has come to town,'
3 And many a lord and gay lady too
Came young Johnnie for to see
Among the whole number his own love was there
And her old father too.
4 Then said the old man, 'What can I understand?
You have come into these lands for to get you a wife.
I haven't but one daughter, and she's the only heir ;
I haven't but one daughter, and she shall be your bride.'
5 'Stop,' says the young prince; 'and sposen we don't agree?'
'Never mind,' says the old man, 'but married you shall be.'
Still it was against the lady's content.
For quitting of young Johnnie who she loved so severe
In getting of a husband like old Lucifere.
6 'Ah, daughter, he's a king, and a king of great fame,
And if you will marry him you'll surely be the queen.'
' So the manuscript seems to read ; what is intended is not apparent.
OLDER BALLADS — MOSTLY BRITISH 233
7 At last this lady gave her consent,
But still it was against her own heart's content
For quitting of young Johnnie, who she loved so severe,
In getting of a husband like old Lucifere.
8 And after they were wedded and then put to bed
Still it was against the lady's content
For quitting of young Johnnie who she loved so severe
In getting of a husband like old Lucifere.
9 It caused the old man to dance and to sing,
Thinking that his daughter was married to a king.
10 So early next morning young Johnnie he arose
And called for his potion, as we might suppose.
The full flowing bowl went merrily around.
The old man counted Johnnie six thousand pounds.
11 He gathered up his money and he put it in his purse.
He called for a basin and some water for to wash,
He washed himself so white and so clean.
He turned to the old man and said, 'Do you know me
now?'
12 'Damn it,' says the old man, 'what have I done?
This is Johnnie, the farmer's young son.
Come pay me back my money !' the old man he cries.
'Keep your money,' the lady she replies ;
13 'I won't accept the devil or any of his crew.
You 'pear like a beautiful angel in my view.
Keep your money,' the lady she replies,
'Now make a loving husband; I am your loving bride.'