Silver Dagger- Mrs. Williams (MS) 1926 Hudson C
[From: Ballads and Songs from Mississippi- Arthur Palmer Hudson; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 39, No. 152 (Apr. - Jun., 1926), pp. 93-194. Hudson collected six version of the "composed Silver Dagger" of which he published three. He reprinted the A version in Folksongs of Mississippi in 1936. His notes follow.
The version of composed version (not the original which is still missing) was published in 1849 in a NY publication.
R. Matteson 2016]
C. [Silver Dagger] No title. Communicated by Mrs. Mims Williams, Magee, Mississippi, whose account of how she came into possession of the text of this ballad and several others is given under "The Silk Merchant's Daughter."
1. Young men and maidens, pray lend attention
To these few lines I'm going to write.
A comely youth whom I can mention
Has lately 'cured a beauty bright.
2. No sooner did his father become for to know it,
He strove, he strove, both day and night,
To part him and his dearest girl;
He often said, "Oh, son, she is poor."
3. He fell upon his knees a-crying,
Saying, "Father, father, pity me;
Do not let this my true love be denied.
For what is this world without her to me?"
4. She walked out by a clear riverside
And set down by a green shady tree
And sighs and said, "Oh, shall I ever,
Evermore my true love see ?"
5. She pulled out a silver dagger,
She pierced it through her young breast.
These words she said as she fell a-stagger,
"Adieu, my love, I am going to rest."
6. He, being lone down in the city,
He thought he heard her feeble voice;
He ran, he ran, like one distracted,
Saying, "Oh, my love, I am lost!"
7. Then two black eyes like stars did open,
Saying, "Oh, my love,-you have come too late;
Prepare to meet me on Mount Zion,
Where all our joys will be complete."
8. He picked up the bloody weapon,
He pierced it through his poor tender heart.
Now let this be a dreadful warning
To all who do true lovers part.