Jenny Fair Gentle Rosemarie- Barlow (UT) c.1896 Hubbard A
From: Traditional Ballads from Utah
by Lester A. Hubbard and LeRoy J. Robertson
The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 64, No. 251 (Jan. - Mar., 1951), pp. 37-53
8. The Wife Wrapt in Wetherskin" (Child No. 277)
"Jenny Fair Gentle Rosemarie." Sung by Mrs. Susie S. Barlow of Salt Lake City. She learned it in Richville, Morgan County, about 56 years ago (1896) from her mother, who sang this and other ballads while Mrs. Barlow daily combed her mother's hair.
Eight stanzas show a definite relationship to those in Child F. Cf. the B text in Belden, pp. 93-94. For references see Henry, p. 125; Belden, p. 92; Brewster, p. 151.
Now sweet William to get him a wife,
Jenny fair gentle Rose Marie.
And there is Nancy and she's very bright,
And the dew flies over the green vallee, [1]
And there is Nancy and she's very bright,
And the dew flies over the green vallee.
Now sweet William to church has gone.
He might have done better to have let her alone.
Now sweet William comes in from plow.
And says, "Dear wife, is your dinner done now?"
She calls sweet William a paltry whelp.
"If you want any dinner go get it yourself."
Down to the barn sweet William did go,
And down with his best wether did throw.
He wrapt the skin 'round his wife's back,
And with two sticks went whickety whack.
Now sweet William comes in from plow
And says, "Dear wife, is your dinner done now?"
She draws her table, spreads her board,
And it's "Oh dear husband" at every word.
Ever since then she's been a good wife,
And I hope she'll remain so all the days of her life.
1. There's no reason to have this spelled - vallee, it's valley, come on guys!!