Dreary Dream- Unidentified singer (KY) c.1907 Niles B
[From: The Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles; 1961. As with all of Niles' collection, it's hard to tell real from fantasy. I am of the belief that there are collected bits of ballads that have triggered his imagination and led to the recreation and completion of many of his ballads. I also believe Niles could not resist perfecting and completing them.
R. Matteson 2013, 2016]
The Dreary Dream- Sung by a family of "ne'er-do-wells" in Jefferson County, KY 1907.
For I have dreamed a dreary dream
Oh, who is free of sorrow
Oh, my love was dead on a leafy bed
Beside the river Yarrow
Oh, my love was dead on a leafy bed
Beside the river Yarrow
And many men did come and go,
And all were armed with knife.
They've slain, they've slain my own
They've twined him of his life.
They've slain, they've slain my own
They've twined him of his life.
It's I will read your dreary dream,
It's I will tell your sorrow,
It's I will tell you that your love
Is dead beside the Yarrow.
It's I will tell you that your love
Is dead beside the Yarrow.