Drowsy Sleeper- Ollie Murray (MO) 1927 Randolph A
[From: Randolph, Ozark Folksongs, vol. I, British Ballads and Songs, pp. 244-249.
R. Matteson 2016]
A. THE DROWSY SLEEPER- Contributed by Miss Ollie Murray, Neusho, Missouri, March 11, 1927.
Arise, arise, you drowsy sleeper,
Arise, arise, it's almost day.
Oh who is there at my bedroom window,
Weeping there so bitterly.
'Tis I, 'tis I, your own true lover,
Weeping there so bitterly,
Oh May dear, go ask your father
If we might wed a bride shall be.
(Two lines missing)
If he says no, just come and tell me,
And I no more will bother thee.
I will not go and ask my father,
For he is slumbering at his rest,
And by his side a silver dagger
To pierce the heart that I love best.
Then May dear, go ask your mother
If we might wed a bride shall be.
If she says no, just come and tell me,
And I no more will bother thee.
I will not go and ask my mother,
For she is slumbering at her rest,
And by her side she behold (sic) a dagger
To pierce the heart that I love best.
Then Willie drew a silver dagger,
And pierced it in his own true heart,
Farewell my love, farewell forever,
Farewell, my love, now we must part.
Then may she drew the bloody weapon,
And pierced it through her snow white breast,
Farewell, blind world, farewell forever,
Farewell, blind world, now we must part.