Georgie- Hart (VA) 1921 Davis A
[From: Davis; Traditional Ballads of Virginia, 1929. See also the very similar Virginia version: As I walked over London's Bridge- Russell (VA) 1936 REC.
R. Matteson 2013, 2016]
A. "Georgie."- Sung by George Hart of Konnarock, VA; September 2, 1921. Collected by John Stone. Davis A
As I walked over London's bridge
So early in the morning [1]
I think I heard poor Lemual say,
Lord, spare me the life of Georgie."
I think I heard poor Lemual say,
Lord, spare me the life of Georgie."
"Go bridle and saddle my milk-white steed
Go bridle and saddle him neatly;
I'll ride away to the yon castle fair,
And plead for the life of Georgie."
She rode all day, she rode all night
Till she came wet and weary
A-combing back her long yellow locks
A-pleading for the life of Georgie.
And out of her pocket she drew his purse of gold,
The like I never saw any,
"Here lawyers come fee yourselves
And spare me the life of Georgie."
It's up stepped Georgie a-pleading for himself,
Saying, "I never killed anybody:
But I stole sixteen of the king's white steeds
And sold them in Goannie. [2]
The oldest lawyer a-standing at the bar,
Saying, "George, I'm sorry for you
That your own confession has condemned you to hang
May the Lord have mercy upon you.
That your own confession has condemned you to hang
May the Lord have mercy upon you.
As George was walking up the streets,
He bid farewell to many;
He bid farewell to his own true love
Which grieved him worse than any.
George was hung with a golden chain
The like I never saw any
'Twas because that he come of a royal race
And courted a virtuous lady
Ifwish I were on yonders hill
Where kisses I've had many,
With my sword and pistol by my side
I'd fight for the life of Georgie.
1. So in the morning early- to rhyme
2. Davis: Probably for Guiana (Guiana was the name of the British colony on the northern coast of South America, now the independent nation of Guyana.)