Margaret and John- Young (NS) pre1950 Creighton B
[From: Traditional Songs from Nova Scotia; Creighton and Senior, 1950.
This version is very similar textually to Creighton and Senior's Version A.
R. Matteson 2013]
"Margaret and John"- Sung by James Young, West Petpeswick, N.S. Collected by Creighton and Senior, 1950, p. 84(B).
As I walked out on a moonlight summer's evening
I espied a young damsel all alone,
She was crying, for her mammy and lamenting for her daddy
And complaining for her true lover John.
Oh Johnny dear Johnny you promised you would meer me
Down in the valley all alone,
There is something has delayed you, there is something has detained you,
And I'm left weary wandering alone.
2. Johnny he came when he was not least expected
And he rapped at her window so loud,
Up this pretty one she rose, unto the door she goes
All for to let her true lover in.
He took her in his arms and he gave her many kisses,
And these very words to her did say,
"lf I only had my wishes, my dearest dear," he cried
"This long night would never come day."
3. "Margaret," he cried, "Love, where is your down bed,
And where are those white holland sheets?
And where is the waiting maid that used to wair upon you
Every night when you lay fast asleep?"
"Johnny," she cries, "love, the grave will be my down bed,
And those linen robes are white holland sheets,
And the night larks are worms, they will be my waiting servants,
Every night when I lay fast asleep."
4. "O you cock, o you cock, o you false crowing cock oh,
Don't you dare to crow before 'tis day,
For your comb it will be of the very best of gold,
And your wings of the silver so gay.
The cock as it was he proved so very falsely
And he just crowed one hour too soon,
And she sent her love away just before that it was day
And it proved to be the light of the moon.
5. He took her in his arms and he gave her many kisses
Saying, "Margaret, dear Margaret, when shall we meet again?"
"'When the salt salt seas run dry and the little fishes fly,
And the hard rocks shall melt in the sun."