Lady Ouncebell- 2nd Version (Child's) April 1775?
[Listed as Percy MS 129.D, this version mysteriously appeared in Percy's Papers, but from what source? It's not in Parson's hand and Parsons did not mention the "original" or sending a second "original" version which he most likely would have. Someone (Child?) in another hand later wrote "MS Parsons 1775" in the left hand corner and added "X Probably Dowsabell" which Parson wrote as a heading in his 1770 text. The fact that both ballads are very similar and one seems to be edited from the other means that the two versions are probably from the same source. Parsons claim to have taken the ballads from the mouth of female parishoners who sat at the spinning wheel. So who wrote the "original" and--in such a fine hand? (See Susan Lepak's comments below).
There are some spelling error in Child's published version that are not in Parson's handwritten version.
Child uses this version for his A version and mentions a few details of the 1770 version. Child says in Additions and Corrections 1886 (Vol. 2):
A. The copy sent Percy in 1770 was slightly revised by Parsons; the original was communicated in 1775.
33. along in.
44. coud speed.
63. make.
64. their mourn.
104. Parsons corrects bunch to branch.
Susan Lepak who studied the ballad originals comments:
Revisions unaccounted for in Child’s notes:
11. Ouncebell to Owncibell
21. Lovill to Lovell
21. said she to she said
42. sadle to saddle
42. stead to steed
43. Refrain: Dey Down, Dey Down, Dey Down, Dery Down to
Hey down down down down derry down
54 Ceserera to Sisseroora
62 set to sat
73 Night to Knight
84 wowman to woman
113 not to knot
114 add “were”
121 wowman to woman
123 to to she; not to knot
If “Lady Ouncebell”, which was supposedly the original sent to Percy in 1775, written in an unknown hand, is indeed the original, then Parsons had to have transcribed it for his 1770 letter. This contradicts his initial claim that the copy he sent Percy in 1770, “Lady Owncibel” in his own hand was “taken from the singer’s mouth” – does it not?
If Parson made the notation regarding his suspicion that the name should be Dowsabel, on the “original” copy, but then decided to transcribe the ballad in his own hand, would he not have expressed this thought in the text of his letter rather than making another notation in the same place on his transcribed copy? Isn’t this just a way to make it appear as if it actually came from Parsons. That notation could have been forged. And all that business in the 1770 “original” with the Middle English misspellings (such as Lord Lovill), couldn’t that be a way of giving the appearance of antiquity? Btw, the notation up in the left hand corner indicating the ballad was from Parsons is not in his hand. It is either Percy’s or Child’s.
At the very least the Dowsabell note indicates that Parsons was not familiar with the ballad. On the other hand, we know Percy was because of the letter he received from Walpole dated February 1765.
Also, note the strange notations on “Lady Ouncebell” MS 129.D. I believe, I believe, I will etc. ]
MS Parsons
1775
Lady Ouncebell x
X Probably Dowsabell
verse 1
And I fare you well Lady Ouncebell,
For I must need’s be gone
And this time two year I’ll meet you again
To finish the Love’s we begun
2
That is a long time Lord Lovill said She
To Live in fair Scotland,
And so it is Lady Ouncebell
To Leave a fair Lady Alone
3
He had not been in fair Scotland
Not half above half a year
But a longin mind came into his head
Lady Ouncebell he wou’d go see her
4
He called up his Stable Groom
To Sadle his Milk White Stead
Dey Down, Dey Down, Dey Down, Dery Down
I wish Lord Lovill cou’d Speed
5
He had not been in fair London
Not half above half a Day
But he heard the Bells of the high Chapel ring
They rung with a Ceserera
6
He asked of a Gentleman
That set there all alone
What made the Bells of the high Chapel ring
The Lady’s made all their mourn
7
One of the King’s Daughters are Dead said he
Lady Ouncebell was her Name
She died for Love of a Courteous young Night
Lord Lovill he was the Same
8
He caused her Corps to be set Down
And her Winding Sheet undone
And he made a Vow before them all
he’d never kiss Wowman again
9
Lady Ouncebell died on the Yesterday
Lord Lovill on the Morrow
Lady Ouncebell died for pure true Love
Lord Lovill died for Sorrow
10
Lady Ouncebell was buried in the high Chancel
Lord Lovill in the choir,
Lady Ouncebell’s Breast sprung out a Sweet Rose
Lord Lovill’s a Bunch of Sweet Brier
11
They grew till they grew to the top of the Church
And then they could Grow no higher
They grew till they grew to a true lovers not
And then they tyed both together
12
An old Wowman coming by that Way
And a blessing she did crave
To cut of a Bunch of that truelovers not
And Buried them both in one Grave