Queen Jane- Holcolm (KY) 1932 Niles
[My title. From: John Jacob Niles' Ballad Book, 1961. First published in Niles, Ballads, Love-Songs & Tragic Legends (1938) pp. 16-17. In his Anglo-American Ballad Study Book, Niles gives another version (see Roud Index) which mysteriously disappears by 1961. Clearly there are similarities to Sharp A and B which appear to be manufactured.
Niles, of course, knew (after 1932 when Sharp/Karpeles published EFFSA, 2nd edition) that this ballad was native to Kentucky. As with most of Niles collection it's hard to tell if this ballad is a complete or partial recreation.
R. Matteson 2015]
The Death of Queen Jane (Niles No. 50) [Niles title]
[Queen Jane]- as sung by Aunt Beth Holcolm of Whitesburg, Kentucy on July 8, 1932. Collected and arranged by John Jacob Niles.
1. Queen Jane lay in labor for six days or more,
Twill the womenfolk grew weary and the midwives gave o'er.
Sing Henry was sent for with horseback and speed
For to be with Queen Jane in her hour of need.
2. He went to her bedside: "How comes this, my flower,
I come to ye direct in less time than an hour."
"King Henry, King Henry, I take you to be,
Pray cut my side open and save your baby."
3. "Ah, no," said King Henry, "that never could be,
If I can lose my pretty flower, I can lose my baby."
Queen Jane turned over, went into a sound
Her side was cut open and her baby was found.
4. Her baby was christened the very same day,
While hits dear dead mother a-moulderin' lay.
Six men went before her, four men followed on,
King Henry stumbled after with his black mournin' on.
5. Oh, he weep-ed and he mourn-ed untwil he was sore,
said, "The flower of England will flourish no more."
And he sat by the river with his head on his hand,
said, "My merry England is a sorrowful land."