Bloody Warning- Jane Gentry (NC) 1916 Sharp MS
[From Sharp's MSS. Collected by Cecil J. Sharp. Also Jane Hicks Gentry: A Singer Among Singers. The 1932 EFSSA notes follow.
This is the composed ballad, "The Silver Dagger," a secondary version was published in 1849
R. Matteson 2016]
Texts without tunes:— Gavin Greig's Folk-Song of the North East, i, art. 54.Broadside (no imprint). Journal of American Folk-Lore, xx. 260; xxix. 200.Cox's Folk Songs of the South, p. 348 (see also further references).
Texts with tunes :—Christie's Traditional Ballad Airs, i. 225. Journal of the Folk-Song Society; i. 269; iii. 78. Songs of the West, 2nd ed., No. 41. Folk Songs from Somerset, No. 99 (published also in English Folk Songs, Selected Edition, i. 72, and One Hundred English Folk-Songs, p. 106). Folk-Songs of England, v. 12.Journal of American Folk-Lore, xxv. 282 (tune only); xxx. 338 ; xxxv. 356. W. R. Mackenzie's Ballads and Sea Songs of Nova Scotia, No. 99. Sturgis and Hughes's Songs from the Hills of Vermont, p. 30.
THE BLOODY WARNING - Sung by Jane Hicks Gentry of North Carolina; August 24, 1916, Sharp MS. Collector: Cecil J. Sharp.
Young men and maids, pray all attention
Unto these few lines I'm a-going to write.
A certain young man, that I may mention
He once did court a beauty bright.
He courted her both late and early
He courted her both night and day
He courted her till he gained her affection,
And drew his mind another way.
Saying, Single son, don't never have her,
For she's poor, she's poor she's awful poor
Her coal black eyes like stars are rolling
Saying True love you have come too late
He pulled out a silver draggon[1]
He stove it thro' her lily white breast
And these is the words she said as she staggered:
Farewell true love I'm going to rest
It's won't you meet me on Mount Sion[2]
Where all your joys will be complete.
He picked up this bloody weepin[3]
He stole it through his aching heart
This ought to be a bloody warning
Unto all true loves that has to part.
1. dagger
2. Zion
3. weapon