The Derry Dems of Arrow- Stanley (AR) 1958 Parler A; Hunter
[From Ozark Collection online- Reel 265, Item 1; also Max Hunter Collection. Collected by Johnny Page and Jim Hays For Mary C. Parler. Transcribed by Frances Majors.
This is the cowboy version Mary Parler printed in 1958 (See reference in Flanders). Parler's other version was learned by Max Hunter and recorded around the same time.
R. Matteson 2013, 2016]
The Derry Dems of Arrow - As sung by Mrs. Lola Stanley, Fayettville, Arkansas on December 30, 1958, Parler A; also Max Hunter Collection
Listen: http://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/songinformation.aspx?ID=0307
VERSE 1
I knew a lady of the north
A fair, a fair, O was she
She was courted by nine noble cowboys
On the derry dems of Arrow
VERSE 2
Her Father hired a noble cowboy
She loved him, she did dearly
She dressed him up as a noble man
And sent him away to arrow
VERSE 3
As he rode over those high, high hills
Those high, high hills and valleys
These nine noble men was waiting his coming
On the derry dems of arrow
VERSE 4
There's nine of you an' one of me
No taller, slenderer bravery
I'll fight you all, it's one by one
On the derry dems of Arrow.
VERSE 5
It's three he slew and three they flew
And two he left them wounded
Her brother Jim, slipped up behind
And pierced his heart, on Arrow
VERSE 6
Go home, go home, you false hearted lad
And tell your sister, Saro
Her sweetheart John, got killed last night
On the derry dems of arrow
VERSE 7
She went to bed, it was early that night
And rose before the morrow
O, Father dear, I had a dream last night
I'm afraid it will bring to me sorrow
VERSE 8
O, daughter dear, I will read your dream
I will read it all for sorrow
Your sweetheart John, got killed last night
On the derry dems of Arrow.
VERSE 9
She run her hands all thru her hair
Her jewels being many
She pulled them off, a laid them down
And started away for Arrow
VERSE 10
As she rode over those high, high hills,
Those high, high hills and valleys,
Until she came to her sweetheart John,
Got killed last night on Arrow
VERSE 11
She washed his face and combed his hair
And wiped away her weeping tears
An' laid him it's, all in his grave
On the derry dems of Arrow
VERSE 12[2]
O, daughter dear, dry up your tears
And weep no more for sorrow
I'll lead you to a better lad
Than the one you lost on Arrow.
VERSE 13
O, Father dear, seven sons have you
You may wed them all tomorrow
But the very ole bloom, that sprung in June
Is the one I lost on arrow.
1. dems= "downs" throughout on Parler's transcription
2. Mrs. Stanley started to sing this verse, but got mixed up and added it to the last of the song, on the tape. I have put it where she said it belonged.