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Death Of A Romish Lady/Romish Lady
Tradition Old-Time, Gospel; Originally of English origin
ARTIST: From Ozark Folksongs, Randolph; Collected from Mr. J. M. Peacock, MO 1927
YOUTUBE:
SHEET MUSIC: http://www.shapenote.net/berkley/257.jpg
CATEGORY: Traditional And Public-Domain Gospel;
DATE: 1613 (English song, "Lady's Daughter Of Paris"); Hesperian Harp "Romish Lady" 1848; William Walker's Southern Harmony 1844
RECORDING INFO: Death Of A Romish Lady
Hesperian Harp "Romish Lady" 1848
William Walker's Southern Harmony of 1844
RELATED TO: "Lady's Daughter Of Paris"
OTHER NAMES: "Romish Lady"
SOURCES: Ozark Folksongs, Randolph;
NOTES: "Death Of A Romish Lady, The," originally an English ballad, appears in Hesperian Harp of 1848 under the title "Romish Lady" as well as William Walker's Southern Harmony of 1844 and according to Herndon (Life of Lincoln), this was a childhood favorite of Abraham Lincoln. It was collected in the US by Belden in 1910 and Pound (1922).
Curiously, the version collected by Randolph is exactly the same as the lyrics found in Hesperian Harp as well as William Walker's Southern Harmony which I've included.
THE DEATH OF A ROMISH LADY- Ozark Folksongs, Randolph
There was a Romish Lady, brought up in popery,
Her mother always taught her that the priest she must obey;
"Oh, pardon me, dear mother, I humbly pray thee know
For unto these false idols, I can no longer bow."
Assisted by her handmaid, a Bible she concealed,
And there she gained instruction, till God His love revealed,
No more did she prostrate herself to pictures decked in gold
But soon she was betrayed, and her Bible from her stole.
"I'll bow alone to Jesus, I'll worship God unseen,
I'll live by faith forever, the works of men are vain,
I cannot worship angels, nor pictures made by man,
Dear mother, use your pleasure, but pardon if you can."
With grief and great vexation, her mother straight did go
To tell the Roman clergy the cause of all her woe,
The priests was soon assembled, and for the maid did call,
And put her in a dungeon to fright her soul with all.
The more they strove to fright her, the more she did endure.
Although her age was tender, her faith was strong and sure,
Her chains and jewels so costly they from this lady took,
Ana she with all her spirits the pride of life forsook.
Before the Pope they brought her, in hopes of her return,
And there she was condemned in horrid flames to burn,
And to the place of torment they fetched her speedily,
With lifted hands to heaven she then agreed to die.
There being many ladies assembled in that place,
She raised her eyes to heaven and begged supporting grace,
"Weep not, oh tender ladies, shed not a tear for me,
While my poor body's burning here, my soul in heaven shall be."
Yourselves you need to pity, and Zion's deep decay,
You better turn to Jesus and make no more delay,
In comes her raving mother, her daughter to behold,
In her hand she brought the Romish pictures decked with gold.
"Oh take from me these idols, remove them from my sight
And give me back my Bible, in which I take delight,
Alas, my aged mother, why on my ruin bent?
'Twas you who did betray me, and I am innocent."
"Tormentors, use your pleasure, and do what you think best,
I know my blessed Jesus will take my soul to rest,
And when these words were spoken, up steps the man of death
And kindled up the fire for to stop her mortal breath.
Instead of golden bracelets, with chains they bound her fast
She cried, "My God, give power, for I must die at last;
With Jesus and his angels forever I shall dwell,
God pardon priests and people, and so I say farewell."
The Romish Lady- Southern Harmony no. 82
First Line: There was a Romish lady
Meter: 7, 6
1. There was a Romish lady brought up in popery,
Her mother always taught her that the priest she must obey;
O pardon me dear mother, I humbly pray thee now
For unto these false idols I can no longer bow.
2. Assisted by her handmaid, a Bible she concealed,
And there she gained instruction, till God his love revealed;
No more she prostrates herself to pictures decked with gold,
But soon she was betrayed, and her Bible from her stole.
3. I'll bow to my dear Jesus, I'll worship God unseen,
I'll live by faith for ever, the works of men are vain;
I cannot worship angels, nor pictures made my men;
Dear mother, use your pleasure, but pardon if you can.
4. With grief and great vexation, her mother straight did go
To inform the Roman clergy the cause of all her woe:
The priests were soon assembled, and for the maid did call,
And forced her in the dungeon, to fright her soul withal.
5. The more they strove to fright her, the more she did endure,
Although her age was tender, her faith was strong and sure.
The chains of gold so costly they from this lady took,
And she with all her spirits, the pride of life forsook.
6. Before the pope they brought her, in hopes of her return,
And there she was condemned in horrid flames to burn.
Before the place of torment they brought her speedily,
With lifted hands to heaven, she then agreed to die.
7. There being many ladies assembled at the place,
She raised her eyes to heaven, and begged supplying grace
Weep not, ye tender ladies, shed not a tear for me--
While my poor body's burning, my soul the Lord shall see.
8. Yourselves you need to pity, and Zion's deep decay;
Dear ladies, turn to Jesus, no longer make delay.
In comes her raving mother, her daughter to behold,
And in her hand she brought her pictures decked with gold.
9. O take from me these Idols remove them from my sight;
Restore to me my Bible, wherein I take delight.
Alas, my aged mother, why on my ruin bent?
'Twas you that did betray me, but I am innocent.
10. Tormentors, use your pleasure, and do as you think best--
I hope my blessed Jesus will take my soul to rest.
Soon as these words were spoken, up steps the man of death,
And kindled up the fire to stop her mortal breath.
11. Instead of golden bracelets, with chains they bound her fast;
She cried, "My God give power now must I die at last?
With Jesus and his angels for ever I shall dwell,
God pardon priest and people, and so I bid farewell."
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