Rich Lady from London- Hicks (NC) 1940 Brown 4A
[From The Brown Collection; 1952, version 4A (from Volume 4 music). Brown notes follow. A recording of this song is available online at Abrams Collection under Rich Lady heading. The opening first lines are borrowed from Child 295 Brown Girl "Sally and Billy." This version is probably 40 years older than the 1940 date. Nora Hicks, 1886-1953 from Rich Mountain, Watauga County, North Carolina contributed several songs for the Brown Collection.
The recording cuts off in the middle of the third verse.
R. Matteson 2014]
86. The Soldier's Wooing
This old broadside ballad — it goes back at least to the seventeenth century — bears some resemblance in its central scene to 'Earl Brand' (Child 7) and to 'Erlinton' (Child 8) but is quite different in temper and has maintained an identity of its own through many generations. It is widely known and sung. See B.SI-I 103, and add to the references there given Virginia (FSV 66), North Carolina (FSRA 88-90), Tennessee (BTFLS 11 9-10), the Ozarks (OPS I 303-7), Ohio (BSO 14-17), Illinois (JAFL LXX 215-16), and Michigan (BSSM 380-1).
86. The Soldier's Wooing (Music Section- Volume 4)
A. 'The Rich Lady from London.' Sung by Mrs. Nora Hicks. Recorded at Mast's Gap, Watauga county, August 28, 1940. This tune also furnishes a fine example of what difference the use of a given material can make. Much of the melodic material is the same as in one of Cecil Sharp's version (see below), but what a difference in the result!
For melodic relationship cf. **SharpK i 355, No. S1E, general melodic line. Scale: Hexatonic (6), plagal. Tonal Center: a. Structure: abca1 (2,2,2,2).
1 There was a rich lady from London she came,
She had a large fortune of silver and gold.
Her fortune was so great it scarcely could be told,
Although she loved a soldier because he was so bold.
2. Soldier, oh soldier, I cannot be your wife
My father is so cruel, I'm feared he'll take your life.'
He drew his sword and pistol and hung them by his side
And said that he'd get married, let what would provide.
3. [recording stops in this verse]