Butcher Boy- Russell Lahew (WV) 1997 Davies
[Transcribed from a recording by Gwilym Davies in West Virginia, late 1997. Davies notes follow.
R. Matteson 2017]
Another West Virginia singer that I visited was Russell Lehew (pronounced lay-hew), a lively 84 year-old from Mannington, who was very happy to spend a morning talking about the old songs he knew and playing tunes on his harmonica. One of the songs in his repertoire is his version of His Old Grey Beard a-Wagging, which he calls With his Overshoes on and his Leggins. He also has good versions of Dandoo, and The Little Mohee. The latter is the American version of The Indian Lass, and most of the singers I met could sing it. Russell and his family clearly enjoyed the visit and I am grateful to them for their jovial company and a happy morning.
Butcher Boy-- Sung by Russell Lahew an 84 year-old from Mannington, West Virginia during winter of 1997-1998.
In London City, where I did dwell
A butcher boy I loved so well
He courted me, my life away,
And with me then would not stay.
He takes another upon his knee
And he tells her things that he won't tell me.
I'll have to grieve, I'll tell you why
Because she has more gold than I.
Someday her gold will melt, and silver fly
In time of need she'll be as poor as I.
Oh mother dear, you need not know
The pain and sorrow, grief that flows.
Oh give me a chair and set me down
With pen and ink, to write words down.
Oh mother dear, you need not know[1]
The pain and sorrow, grief that flows.
When her father first came home
Where is my daughter, Where's she gone
He went upstairs and the door he broke
He found her hanging to a rope.
He took his knife and cut her down
And in her bosom these words he found
A silly girl am I you know
To hang myself for the butcher's boy.
Must I go bound while he goes free
Must I love a boy who don't love me
Alas! alas! 'twill never be
Till oranges grow on apple trees.
Go dig my grave both wide and deep,
Place a marble stone at my head and feet.
Upon my grave a snow white dove
To prove to the world I died for love.
1. forgets and repeats last lines from previous stanza.