Died for Love- Jasper Smith (Surrey) 1975 Yates
[From: The Travelling Songster: An Anthology from Gypsy Singers, Jasper Smith, Levy Smith, Minty Smith, Phoebe Smith, 1975-76. First published by Topic 1977. Recorded by Mike Yates 1975-76. Yates notes follow.
This is aversion of the modern variant usually with the suicide known as Maiden's Prayer. It was popular during World War II and was known as early as WWI.
R. Matteson 2017]
Died for Love - Jasper Smith (vocal) Jasper c.1920. Epsom, Surrey.
Some songs and ballads are extremely difficult to identify with any degree of accuracy. Many are closely related with verses floating freely between whatever form the singer chooses to sing. It would seem that Jasper’s song comes initially from an 18th century ballad The Cruel Father, with additions from an early 19th century song The Squire’s Daughter. Other songs from this parentage are The Alehouse and There is a Tavern in the Town. Jasper’s version of this well-loved piece appears to be a relatively late form and, so he tells me, one that was popular with servicemen during World War II.
1 A man came walking home one night
He found his house without a light
He walked upstairs to go to bed
Then the second thought came in his head.
2 He walked into his daughter‘s room
And found her hanging by the beam
He drawed a knife and cut her down
And on her breast this is what he found.
3 ‘My love is for a sailor boy
Who sails across the deep blue sea
So all you maidens good and true
Never change the old love for the new.’
4 ‘Oh Lord wish my child was born
And all my troubles could be gone
So all you maidens good and true
Never change your old love for the new.’