The Bailor's Daughter (Child 105)
[This is rare Tennessee version of The Bailiff's Daughter (of Islington), Child 105. It's a story of a youth who is in love with the Bailiff's daughter. He is apprenticed in London for seven years. At last she disguises herself to see if he is still true. They meet; he asks about his love. She says she is dead; he grieves; she reveals herself.
R. Matteson 2014]
THE BAILOR'S DAUGHTER
A youth, a youth, a well loved youth,
The squire's only son,
They sent him off to London Town,
To study books and to practice law,
And leave his girl behind.
Oh, the bailor's daughter of Hazlin town,
She still runs through his mind.
The girls and boys of Hazlin Town,
Went out for sport and fun,
Oh, the bailor's daughter of Hazlin town,
She slipped and stole away.
She dressed herself in velvet green,
And on the roadside stood,
Oh who did she spy but her own true love
Come traveling down the road.
She stepped out in the middle of the road,
And took his horse by his rein.
"A penny, a penny would I give,
For a traveler to maintain.
[He] "Oh pretty fair miss, where are you going,
Likewise, where are you from?"
"I'm all the way from Hazlin Town,
I've met with many a frown."
"Oh, the bailor's daughter of Hazlin town,
What news can you give me?
Oh, the bailor's daughter of Hazlin town,
Is she dead or does she live?"
[She] "The bailor's daughter of Hazlin town,
In her green grave lies low."
Oh, the bailor's daughter of Hazlin town,
She died six months ago."
[He] "Go take my milk-white steed[1]
My broadsword and my bow.
I'll go rambling up and down,
Where no one will me know."
I'll go rambling up and down,
Where no one will me know."
[She] "Oh, the bailor's daughter of Hazlin town,
She stands here by your side.
"Oh, the bailor's daughter of Hazlin town,
She intends to be your bride."
Their joyful hands were clasped together;
Straight-ways to the church they did go,
And straight-ways they did get married,
Oh, they lived in love and they died in peace,
What more could they desire?
1. suit (haha!)