Fine Salley- Sherrill (NC) c.1890 Greer Collection
[From I.G. Greer Collection, no date given. Classification Title: Brown Girl, Lyric Variant 05 (there's another variant 05 in the collection). Fine Salley is a typed MS that was sent in to Greer from Mrs. Alice Cook [Sarah Alice Sherrill], 1867-1937 from Rutherwood, Watauga County, North Carolina. Assuming she learned it when she was young I've dated it c. 1890. At the bottom of the page I've edited the text and added footnotes.
R. Matteson Jr. 2014]
Fine Salley- Sarah Alice Sherrill (Mrs Alice Cook) original spelling; punctuation.
There was a rich Irish Lady worth thousands of gold.
Fin salley fine Salley indeed was her name.
But her riches was more than the Queen did possess.
There was a rich Merchant worth thousands of gold.
He corded this damsel so neat and so fine.
But her riches was so lofty and her fashion so fine.
And on this young man she scarcely cast her eye.
O Salley O Salley O Salley said he.
Im sorry to think we canot agree.
But if all your hatred would turn to love.
My love and your love would prove true I am sure.
Yes I am scornful For I hate you.
To say that I love you is more than I can.
So you may retire in your discorse.
For I will never marry you unless I am forced.
O Salley O Salley O Salley said he.
Don't youn rember when you slighted me?
I came here to court you but you slighted me with scorn.
And now I reward you with things passed and gone.
Oft things passed and gone love forget and forgive.
And grant me a blessing I longer to live.
I never will salley during my life.
Ill dance on your grave when your laid in the earth.
Six weeks have come and six weeks have passed.
This damsel was taken down sick at the last.
All raped up in love and she knew not why.
She sent for this young man that she used to denie.
Im am the Docter you sent me here.
I am the young man that you love so dear.
Yes you are the young man that can kill me or cure.
Without your effections i am gone i am sure.
Fare well my dear parents and all my best friends.
Adue to my Swwetheart God make him a man.
Ill will freely frrgive him although he wont me.
Tenn thousand times ore thee I see.
She pulled off ehr god ring and diamonds to.
Says take them and wear them while dancing over me.
Your culler will fly and never be seen.
whille dancing over Salley over Salley the Queen.
Fine Salley- Sarah Alice Sherrill (Mrs Alice Cook) editede spelling; punctuation. I'll keep Sally as Salley. Stanzas have been arranged in the proper sequence.
There was a rich Irish Lady worth thousands of gold,
Fine Salley, fine Salley indeed was her name.
But her riches was more than the Queen did possess,
[And her beauty was greater than all the rest.] [1]
There was a rich Merchant worth thousands of gold,
He courted this damsel so neat and so fine.
But her riches was so lofty and her fashion so fine,
And on this young man she scarcely cast her eye.
"O Salley, O Salley, O Salley," said he.
"I'm sorry to think we cannot agree.
But if all your hatred would turn to love,
My love and your love would prove true I am sure.
Yes I am scornful for I hate you,
To say that I love you is more than I can.
So you may retire in your discourse,
For I will never marry you unless I am forced.
Six weeks have come and six weeks have passed,
This damsel was taken down sick at the last.
All wrapped up in love and she knew not why,
She sent for this young man that she used to deny.
"I am the Doctor, you sent [for] me here,
I am the young man that you love so dear."
"Yes, you are the young man that can kill me or cure,
Without your affections I am gone I am sure."
"O Salley, O Salley, O Salley," said he.
"Don't you remember when you slighted me?
I came here to court you but you slighted me with scorn.
And now I reward you with things passed and gone."
"Of things passed and gone love, forget and forgive.
And grant me a blessing, I long [2] to live."
I never will Salley, during my life,
I'll dance on your grave when your laid in the earth.
Fare well my dear parents and all my best friends,
Adieu to my Sweetheart, God make him amends. [3]
I will freely forgive him although he won't me,
Tenn thousand times my folly [4] I see.
She pulled off her gold ring and diamonds too,
Says take them and wear them while dancing over me.
Your color [5] will fly and never be seen,
While dancing over Salley, over Salley the Queen.
Footnotes:
1. My recollection of a standard line.
2. Only logical solution for "I longer"
3. "a man" is a common mondegreen.
4. "ore thee" had to go, "my folly" is standard.
5. This is found in some versions; see notes for Sharp A and B. In this case it could be reworded- I'm leaving it.