The Gates of Ivory- Underhill (NB) 1962 Wilson
[From: Manny & Wilson, Songs of the Miramichi (1968) pp. 202-203. Not sure why this was named "Gates of Ivory"- haha. Underhill learned this version from Wilmont McDonald in 1961.
R. Matteson 2014]
GATES OF IVORY (DOORS OF IVORY) Sung by Nicholas Underhill, Nor'west Bridge, New Brunswick- 1962
There was a man came from the North
Who proved untrue to me,
And he said, "Let's go to some foreign land,
And married there we will be.
Pray, give me some of your father's gold,
And some of your mother fee,
And two of the best horse out of the stable,
And there stands thirty and three."
She gave him some of her father's gold,
And her mother's was stored away,
And away they rode from her own father's home
Two hours before it was day.
They rode along to a pearly stream,
"Mount off, mount off," said he,
"For six pretty fair maids I have drownded here,
And you the seventh shall be."
"Strip off, strip off, your silks and gown
And give them unto me,
For they are too costly in riches, my dear,
For to rot in the salt, salt sea."
"If I have to strip off my silks and gown,
Pray turn your back to me,
For I think it rude for ruffans like you
A naked woman to see."
And he turned his back to her,
Espying the leaves so green.
She grabbed him by the slender waist,
And threw him into the stream
"Lie there, lie there you false you man,
Where you intended for me,
It was six pretty fair maids you have drownded here,
And the seventh has drowded thee."
And then she mounted her milk-white steed,
And leading her dappled gray
And away she rode to her father's abode,
One hour before it was day.
The parrot was at the window,
And it to the lady did say,
"Now dear lady come and tell unto me,
Why are you riding so long before day."
"Hold your tongue, pretty Polly," said she,
And tell no tales on me,
And your cage may be made of the glittering gold,
And the doors of ivory.
Old man arose in the morning,
And then to the parrot did say,
"Pretty Polly, pretty Polly, come tell unto me
Why you're talking so long before day."
The cat was here on the window sill,
And she was staring at me,
And that is the only reason I had
For talking so long before day."
"One turn, one turn," m'lady replied,
"One good turn you done for me,
Now your cage shall be made of the glittering gold
And doors of ivory."