Come Youth and Age- W. Larkin (IL) 1866 Musick
[From: The Old Album of William A. Larkin by Ruth Ann Musick; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 60, No. 237 (Jul. - Sep., 1947), pp. 201-251. Her notes follow. Spelling and punctuation kept as in original MS.
R. Matteson 2016]
24. This is usually known as "The Silver Dagger" and is included in Belden (8 texts), pp. 123-I26; Brewster (4 texts), pp. 2II-214; Cox, pp. 350-352; Eddy, pp. 227-229; Gardner and Chickering, pp. 88-89; Pound, American Ballads and Songs, pp. 12I-I24; Pound, Folk-Song ... pp. 17-18; Sharp, English Folk Songs .. ., II, 229-230; Thomas, Devil's Ditties, pp. 110- 111; Belden JAF, 25 (1912), 13; Barry JAF, 25 (I912), 282; Kittredge, JAF, 30 (1917), 362-363.
Come Youth and age No. 13th
1. Come youth and age prepay atention (please pay attention)
To these few lines I am about to right
Tis of a youth whitch I shall mention
Who has lately corted a beauty bright
2. And his parent came to no it
They did in deavor both night and day
To part him from his own dear guble (jewel)
She is two poor they would of times say
3. He would kneel down on his knees before them
He would implore them both night and day
Saying o do not my true love dis pleasure
Or what is this hold worlde to me
4. She being a maid that was crowed with beauty (crowned)
Not noing whitch course to persew
She rambled forth and left the sitty
Some silent grove to wander threw
5. At length she reached the crystial river
And sat her down beneath a tree
She sied and said o shall I ever
Eaver more my true love see
6. She then pulled out her silver dager
And pierced it through her snowwhite breast
Saying fare the well my own truelover
So fare the well I am a going to rest
7. Her truelove was wandering wild and frantic
Not thinking he would see her more
Those words he heard thy seemed romantic
As she lye bleeding in her gore
8. He ran toward his truelove weeping
And raised her from the purple ground
Saying o truelove how can thou dare to
Waste this life that nature gave
9. Its are you tired of all earthy pleasurs
Or are you going with all your charms
Are there no friends nor golde can save you
While you lye bleeding in my armes
10. Her cold black eyes like stars did open
Saying o truelove you have come to late
Prepare to mete me on mountzion (Mount Zion)
Where all our joyes will be complete
12. He then picked up his true loves wepon
And pierced it through his tender heart
Saying let this be a sollum warning
To all who do truelovers part