Bailiff's Daughter- Wood (OK-UK) pre1964 Moores
[From: Ballads and Folk Songs of the Southwest; Ethel and Chauncey Moore, 1964. Their notes follow.
R. Matteson 2015]
29 The Bailiff's Daughter of Islington
This ballad (Child, No. 105) was a broadside reprinted by Percy in Reliques (III, 135) in 1765, "with some improvements communicated by a lady." It may be one of the first songs with the theme of a man and a maid being separated for seven years. In disguise, one tests the love of the other and finds him (or her) faithful. For references, see Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, 225-27; Belden, 68-69; Child, TI, 426-28; Creighton and Senior, 58-62; Davis, 383-84; Greenleaf and Mansfield, 34; Hudson, 114-116; Journal, Vol. XXIX, 201 (Rawn and Peabody), Vol. XXX, 321 (Kittredge), Vol. XXXIX, 106-107; Linscott, 160-63; Morris, 300-302; and Sharp, I, 219-21.
The Bailiff's Daughter of Islington was sung by Mrs. Joan Taylor Wood, Tulsa. Mrs. Wood was born in Manchester, England.
There lived a youth, and a well-beloved youth,
And he was the squire's son;
And he loved the bailiff's daughter dear,
Who lived in Islington.
But she was coy and never would
On him her love bestow,
Till he was sent to London town
Because he loved her so.
When seven long years had passed away,
She put on ragged attire,
And forth she went to Islington,
Her true love to inquire.
And as she went along the high road,
The weather being hot and dry,
She sat her down upon a green bank,
And her true love came riding by.
She started up, and with a color so red,
And caught hold of his bridle rein,
"One penny, one penny, kind sir," she said,
"Will ease me of much pain."
"Before I give you a penny, sweetheart,
Pray tell me where you were born."
"At Islington, kind sir," she said,
"Where I dealt with many a scorn."
"I prithee, sweetheart, oh tell to me,
Oh tell me if you know,
The bailiff's daughter of Islington?"
"She's dead, sir, long ago."
"If she be dead, then take my horse,
My saddle and bridle also,
For I will into some far country go,
Where no man shall me know."
"Oh stay, oh stay, thou goodly youth,
She standeth by thy side.
She is not dead; she is here alive
And ready to be thy bride."