The False Knight- Kelly (NB) 1960 Haggerty/Felt; Bronson 10.1 addenda
[This is the short version from Bronson, TTCB. Sung by Alan Kelly, Chaplin Island Road, Miramichi, New Brunswick, 1960 (Edmunds 1985 gives a date of 1962). The tune, which is irregular, is slightly different; the false knight is recorded as 'the fol-fol-follies at the road'; and the text has only three stanzas. In 1963 an eight stanza version was included L. Manny & J. R. Wilson, Songs of Miramichi, pp. 199-200 see below.
[Edmunds 1985:] In general, the merging of traditions of the song, especially in America, suggest that it was more widely popular than the thirty-odd texts testify; the occasional note to a text also suggests this, such as that by Manny and Wilson to Alan Kelly's text:
The False Knight, we are told, used to be much sung in Miramichi, and all our singers know fragments of it. Several people told us they had learned it, words and music, from the Family Herald. Upon further inquiry, we found that it was well known in Miramichi before the Family Herald printed it in its 'Old Favourites'. However, when it appeared in print, everyone felt that
the printed version was the authoritative 'right one'. Alan Kelly's version is very different from any other that we have heard here. [L. Manny & J. R. Wilson, Songs of Miramichi, p.200.]
R. Matteson 2014]
"The False Knight" Sung by Alan Kelly, New Castle, New Brunwick August, 1960. Collected by Lee B. Haggerty and Henry Felt and sent by them to Bronson.
What have you got in your basket?
What have you lot in your basket?
Says the fol-fol-follies at the road.
I have bread for me-self to eat,
Said the little boy of seven year old.
What have you got in your bottle?
What have you got in your bottle?
Says the fol, fol, follies at the road.
I have tea for me-self to drink
Says the little boy of seven year old.
Why don't you give a drop to my dog?
Why don't you give a drop to my dog?
Says the fol-fol-follies at the road.
I'd sooner see your dog choke with the bottle down his throat
Said the little boy of seven year old.
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The False Night Upon the Road- Sung by Allan Kelly, 1963 Manny- Wilson with music
"Where are you going, my little boy?
Where are you going, my little boy?"
Says the false, false knight upon the road.
"I am going to school for to learn my lessons, sir,"
Said the little boy not seven years old."
What have you got in your basket?
What have you lot in your basket?
Says the false, false knight upon the road.
I have bread for me-self to eat,
Said the little boy of seven year old.
What have you got in your bottle?
What have you got in your bottle?
Says the false, false knight upon the road.
I have tea for me-self to drink
Says the little boy of seven year old.
Why don't you give a drop to my dog?
Why don't you give a drop to my dog?
Says the false, false knight upon the road.
I'd sooner see your dog choke with the bottle down his throat
Said the little boy of seven year old.
"Why don't you give a drop to my dog,
Why don't you give a drop to my dog,?"
Says the false, false knight upon the road,
"I'd sooner see your dog choke with the bottle down his throat,"
Says the little boy of seven years old.
"What is higher than the sky?
What is higher than the sky?"
Says the false, false knight upon the road,
"Heaven is higher than the sky,
Heaven is higher than the sky,"
Says the little boy of seven years old.
"What is deeper than the sea?
What is deeper than the sea?"
Says the false, false knight upon the road,
"Hell is deeper than the sea,
"Hell is deeper than the sea,"
Says the little boy of seven years old.
"You're on your knees, my little boy,
You're on your knees, my little boy,"
Says the false, false knight upon the road,
"I'm praying my Lord to send the devil back to Hell,"
Says the little boy of seven years old.