Geordie- Mulleins (VA) 1921 Davis C; Geordie- W. G. Sawyer (VA) 1921 Davis D
John Stone collected this first from W. G. Sawyer who gave him two verses (Davis D):
As I walked over London's bridge
So early in the morning
I thouht I heard poor Lemual say,
Lord, spare me the life of Geordie."
Poor George walked up and down the street,
And bid farewell to many;
He bid farewell to his own true love
Which grieved him worse than any.
The rest was taken from three other informants to make a complete version; Davis C
Geordie- Mulleins (VA) 1921 Davis C
As I walked over London's bridge
So early in the morning [1]
I thouht I heard poor Lemuel say,
Lord, spare me the life of Geordie."
"Go saddle and bridle my milk-white steed
Go saddle and bridle him gay and neatly;
I'll ride away to the king's castle fair,
A-pleading for the life of Geordie."
She rode all day, she rode all night
Until she became tired and weary
A-combing back her pretty yellow locks
A-pleading for the life of Geordie.
Poor George walked up and down the street,
And bid farewell to many;
He bid farewell to his own true love
Which grieved him worse than any.
The oldest lawyer at the bar,
Says, "George, I'm sorry for you
That your own confession has condemned you to hang
May the Lord have mercy upon you.
Poor George was hung with a golden chain
The like I never saw any
Because he sprang from a royal race
And had courted a virtuous lady.
1. So in the morning early- to rhyme