Gordonville- Mrs. Lawson Grey (VA) 1918 Sharp B
[My title. From Sharp's "English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians," 1932 edition edited Karpeles.
R. Matteson 2017]
Gordonville- Sung by Mrs. LAWSON GREY at Montvale, Va., June 6, 1918. Pentatonic. Mode 3.
1. O Sir, I see you come again,
Pray tell me why it's so;
When I left you in Gordonville
I told you to come no more, more,
Told you to come no more.
2 O madam, I have come again,
I'll tell you why it's so;
When I left you in Gordonville,
I told you I was coming once more. [sim.]
3 O madam, I have a very fine house,
It is new erected fine ;
It all can be at your command
If you will be my bride.
4 Kind sir, I know your very fine house,
And also very nice yard;
0 who will stay with me at night
When you are at playing of cards?
5 O madam, I don't play cards at night,
1 never thought it was right;
If you will consent and marry me
I won't stay out one night.
6 Kind sir, I know what that is said for,
It's just to take me in;
When you get me at your command
You'll drink and gamble again.
7 O madam, I have a very fine field,
It's sixty acres wide;
It all can be at your command
If you will be my bride.
8 O sir, I know your very fine field,
And also very nice fruit;
When I come in, I'll turn you out,
For you know that hog will root.
9 O madam, I have a very fine horse,
His pace like the tide.
If you will consent and marry me
O you may have him to ride.
10 O sir, I know your very fine horse,
The horse that knows no harm;
His master loves to drink and gamble,
And I'm 'feared his horse might learn.
11 O madam, you have red, rosy cheeks,
And I have got my land;
O madam, you have your coal-black hair.
O keep them and be damned.
12 O sir, I have my red rosy cheeks,
And you have got your land;
O sir, I have my coal-black hair.
And they are another man's.