Silver Dagger- Ollie Gilbert (AR) 1969 Hunter B1
[From Max Hunter Collection Cat. #0773 (MFH #589). Minor editing.
Listen: http://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/songinformation.aspx?ID=0773
This is a version of the composed ballad (dating back to around 1810 in the US).
R. Matteson 2016]
Silver Dagger - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on June 25, 1969
VERSE 1
Young men an' girls, pray lend me your attention
Of these few lines I'm going to write
It's about a young man, who lately courted
A young an' beautious bride
VERSE 2
When her parents came to know this
They locked 'er up an' kept her so gay
They robbed her of her own dear jewel
Because he was poor as they oft times were
VERSE 3
She wandered till she came to a christian fountain
She set herself beneath the tree
An' with a sigh, O shall I ever
Ever anymore my true love see.
VERSE 4
She pulled out a silver dagger
An' ran it thru her snowy white breast
An' with a sigh, O, as she staggered
Farewell, true love, I'm going to rest.
VERSE 5
Him a-bein' a way down, in a lonesome valley
He heard a cry, so soft an' low
He wrung, he wrung, like one distracted
I'm ruined and I'm done forever anymore
VERSE 6
Her pretty blue eyes, like the stars were open
She says, sweetheart you've come to late
But pray prepare to meet me in Heaven
Where our love'll be more complete.
VERSE 7
He picked up the bloody dagger
An' ran it thru his tender heart
Oh, ain't this a dread-full, dreadful warnin'
For such true loves that has to part.