The Dapple Grey- May Bradley (Shrop) c.1962 Hamer
[From May Bradley's recording "Sweet Swansea" on Musical Traditions Records (MTCD349),Also Hamer's Garners Gay (English folk songs collected by Fred Hamer; London: EFDSS, 1967).
R. Matteson 2018]
The Dapple Grey- sung by May Bradley (1902- 1974) of Ludlow, Shropshire about 1962 (1959-1966).
Now it's of a Turkey he came from the north land
When he came alluded[1] to me
He told me he'd take me unto the north land
And there would married be.
Come fetch me some of your father's gold
Some of your mother's fee
Two of the best horses out of the stable
Where there stand thirty ay three
Now she fetched him some of her father's gold
And some of her mother's fee
Two of the best horses out of the stable
Where there stood thirty ay three
Now she mounted on her milk white steed
And him on the dapple grey
They rode 'til they came unto the seaside
So long before it was day.
"Light off, light off your milk white steed
And deliver that now unto thee
For six pretty fair maids I have drownded here
The seventh oh thou shall be
"Pull off, pull off that fine silken gown
And deliver that now unto me
I think it is looking too rich and too good
For to rot all in the salt sea."
"Now if I am to pull off my fine silken gown,
Deliver it now unto thee
I don't think it's ruffing a fitting like you
(I don't think it's fitting a ruffian like you)
A naked woman should see."
Now he turned hisself the other way
Watching those leaves growing green.
She caught him around his middle so small
And she tumbled him into the stream.
Now he plunged high and he plunged low
Until he came to the side
"Take hold of my hand my pretty fair maid,
And I will make you my bride."
"Lay there, lay there, you false hearted man
Lay there instead of me.
If six pretty fair maids you have drownded here
The seventh she has drownded thee."
Now she mounted on her milk white steed,
She led the dapple grey.
She rode 'til she came to her own father's home
So long before it was day.
Now the parrot being up in the window so high
She heard the lady go by.
"Don't prittle, nay prattle, my pretty Polly,
Don't tell no tales on me
And your cage will be made of the glittering gold
And the doors of the best ivory."
Now the lady was up in her bedroom so high
Unto the parrot she said
"Whatever's the matter my pretty Polly,
You are prattling so long before day?"
"Now the cat she's got up in the window so high
I'm afraid that she will have me."
"Well done, well done my pretty Polly
You have changed your notes well for me
Now your cage will be made of the glittering gold
And the doors of the best ivory, ivory,
And the doors of the best ivory."
1. a-wooing
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One of the most well-known of the big ballads, with 672 entries in Roud's Index. The ballad of Lady Isobel and the Elf Knight, as it's otherwise known, has been found in various forms throughout Europe, the earliest printed text being from a German broadside dated 1550. A L Lloyd in Folk Song in England, linked the story to an engraving on a sword scabbard dated 300 BC, which is now in the Leningrad (St Petersburg) Museum. It certainly seems to have caught the imagination of traditional singers, many versions having appeared throughout England and Scotland, though it seems not to be particularly widespread in Ireland. However, I should mention that Cornelius 'Corny' McDaid of Buncrana, Co Donegal, sang a very full and splendid version as False Lover John, which he taught to Kevin Mitchell.
Other available CD versions include Sarah Porter (MTCD309-0), Jumbo Brightwell (MTCD339-0), Bill Cassidy (MTCD325-6), Roger Grimes (MTCD335-6), Fred Jordan (Rounder CD1775, Topic TSCD600); Mary Ann Haynes (Topic TSCD661); Lena Bourne Fish (Appleseed APRCD1035) and Kevin Mitchell (MTCD315-6).