Silver Dagger- Mrs. Anderson (MO) 1927 Randolph
[From Ozark Folksongs II, by Randolph 1946, version C1. 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]
C1. "Silver Dagger." Two variant stanzas from Mrs. Bessie Anderson, Powell, Mo., May 6, 1927. [Compare to A1 and B1]
The son got down on his knees a-begging,
Saying father, father pity me,
Don't keep me from my dearest Julia,
For she is all this world to me.
Then he picked up the bloody body,
And turned it over on his arm,
Saying neither gold nor love can save you,
And you must die in all your charm.