The Bailiff's Daughter- Shepard (VT) 1933 Flanders
[From Ancient Ballads III, 1963; Flanders.
R. Matteson 2015]
B. The Bailiff's Daughter. James Shepard of Baltimore, Vermont, sang this song as learned from his mother, whose maiden name was o'Malley. She came to this country as a child of twelve, from Ireland, Published in Country Songs of Vermont, 6. H. H. F., Collector; July 8, 1933. Structure: A B C D (4,4,4,4); Rhythm C but divergent; contour: arc scale: largely Aeolian, but with accidentals
There was a youth, and a well bred youth.
He was an only son.
He fell in love with the bailiff's daughter
And he had her favor won.
When his parents came to know
His fond and foolish mind,
They bound him a 'prentice for seven long years
And bade him his business mind.
"Now read your books and study the law
And leave your love behind."
"Alas and a-woe, can I ever see her more
For she still runs through my mind?"
When seven long years were passed and gone
Those maids got lief to play.
The bailiff's daughter of Irlontown
So cunnerly stole away.
She set down under a hawthorn tree
Amusing herself there to stay.
Who would she see but her own true love
Who by chance did pass that way?
"Good morning to you, my pretty maid,
Where did you come from to here?"
"Kind sir, I came from Irlontown
Where I suffered many the year."
"Well if you came from Irlontown
You surely can't but know
The bailiff's daughter of Irlontown
If she is alive, or no."
"No, she is not alive, for she is dead,
Laid in her grave so low.
No, she is not alive for she is dead.
She died five years ago."
"Oh, take from me my horse and saddle,
My bridle reins also.
I'll go and seek some foreign country,
Where nobody will me know."
"Oh, wait a while, young man," said she,
"You wait here by my side,
The bailiff's daughter in Irlontown
Is ready to be your bride.
"Oh, didn't you know my lily-white hand.
Likewise my auburn hair;
Oh, didn't You know that ring of gold
You gave me once to wear?"
"Right well I know your lily-white hand
Right well, Your auburn hair.
Right well I know that ring of gold
That I gave You once to wear.
"'Welcome, luck, and farewell, grief,
Ten thousand times to me!
Thank God, I've caught my own true love
Who I thought I never would see!"