Silver Dagger- E. Davidson (MO) 1927 Randolph
[Fragment from Ozark Folksongs II, by Randolph 1946, version D1. This is one six versions (designated A1-F1) Randolph collected of an eleven stanza "composed ballad" usually titled The Silver Dagger. This ballad is based on the traditional ballad story, a collected variant of Silver Dagger was published in 1849, the original (circa 1820) has not been found. Only stanza seven and half of eleven are taken from the traditional versions of North America.
Randolph also published six versions (A-F) of Drowsy Sleeper, the traditional version.
R. Matteson 2016]
D. "Silver Dagger." contributed by Miss Esther Davidson, Rocky Comfort, Mo., Mar . 9, 1927.
Both young and old, pray lend your attention,
To these few words I'm a-going to impress,
They are just as true as was ever mentioned,
Concerning a fair and beautiful miss.
. . . . . . .
. . . . . .
He often went to her a-vowing
He would make her his lawful and wedded wife.
. . . .
. . . .
Saying, Here I am in youth and mourning,
And I have sank in deep despair.
Her coal black eyes like stars did open,
Saying, Love, of love, you have come too late,
Prepare to meet me on Mount Zion
Where all our joys will be complete.
Some day they'll meet upon Mount Zion,
There to walk down the golden street.
And there to live in that beautiful city
Where all their joys will be complete.