Lyddy Margot- Swetnam (MS-KY) pre1936 Hudson B
[From Hudson; Folksongs of Mississippi, 1936. His notes follow.
This ballad is known back three generations- and originated from Kentucky.
R. Matteson 2014]
FAIR MARGARET AND SWEET WILLIAM
(Child No. 74)
Two excellent texts have been recovered from Mississippi. For other American variants, see Brown, p. 9; Campbell and Sharp, No. 17; Cox, No. 11, Davis, No. 19; Pound, No. 16; Wyman and Brockway, p. 94, Barry, No. 15.
B. Copied by Mr. George F. Swetnam, University, from the singing of his mother, Mrs. Flora Stafford Swetnam, who had it from her mother, a native of Kentucky. Local title "Lyddy Margot."
1 Lyddy Margot arose one May morning
And dressed herself in blue:
"Come tell to me that long, long love
Between Lyddy Margot and you."
2 "I know no harm of Lyddy Margot,
And she no harm of me;
But tomorrow morn at eight o'clock
Lyddy Margot my bride shall see."
3 Lyddy Margot was standing at her window,
Combing down her long yellow hair,
And whom should she see but Sweet William and his bride;
To the churchyard they drew near.
4. Down she threw her ivory comb,
And back she tossed her hair,
And away to her dying room she ran,
Never to be seen back there.
5. . . .
. . .
"I dreamed my room was full of swine,
My bride's bed washed in blood."
6. . . .
. . .
Sweet William arose, put on his clothes,
Saying, "Lyddy Margot I'll go see."
7. He rode, he rode till he came to the gate
And jingled at the door,
And who was so ready as Lyddy Margot's brother
To arise and let him in.
8 "Is Lyddy Margot in her dining-room,
Or is she in her hall,
Or is she in her high, high chamber,
Among the ladies alll"
9 "Lyddy Margot's not in her dining-room,
Neither is she in her hall;
But, oh, she's in her cold, cold coffin,
Laid out against yonders wall."
10 "Turn down, turn down those winding-sheets
That are made so whole and fine,
And let me kiss those pale cold lips,
So often have kissed mine."