Butcher Boy- Jim Cleveland (NY) 1967 REC Davies
[My date, he probably knew this earlier. From a recording made by Gwilym Davies in 1998 as sung by Jim Cleveland of Brant Lake, New York. Jim is the oldest son of Sara Cleveland (1905-1992) one of the outstanding ballad singers in the US. She got her repertoire from her Irish/Scottish family and local singers.
The setting is Dublin and the "full well" in the second line place it in the UK as an old version. Although short, it's missing nothing and the sixth stanza is very powerful and heart-breaking. This was one of Jim's best ballads.
R. Matteson 2017]
Butcher Boy-- sung by Jim Cleveland (b. 1924) of Brant Lake, New York about 14 February, 1998. Learned from his mother.
1. In Dublin City, where I did dwell
A butcher boy I loved full well,
He courted me, both night and day,
But with me now he will not stay.
2. When my apron was hanging low
My love would follow through rain or snow
But now my apron is to my knees
He'll pass me by as he knew not me.
3. Oh mother dear I feel so bad
I sometimes think I shall go mad;
O daughter dear do not grieve so,
For life is filled with pain and woe.
4. She went upstairs to make her bed,
And nothing to her mother said,
Her father came and the door he broke
He found her hanging to a rope.
5. He took his knife and cut her down
And on her bosom these words he found:
A foolish girl, I know am I
To hang myself for a butcher boy.
6. Must I go bound while he goes free,
Must I love a boy who won't love me?
Or must I live my life in shame,
And raise a child without a name?
7. Go dig my grave both wide and deep,
Place marble stones at my head and feet.
And on my breast lay a turtle dove
To show the world that I died for love.