The Golden Willow Tree- (KY-Appalachia) 1924 Raine
[From: The Land of Saddle-bags: A Study of the Mountain People of Appalachia by James Watt Raine, 1924. No information is provided about the location or informant. This is very similar to the version from KY by Morris in 1937 (recorded by Lomaxes).
Raine's version was in fact sung by Mr. Luther Shadoin from Lexington, Kentucky. Raine, who had collected his version previously, alerted Cecil Sharp about it, and Sharp visited Shadoin on Sept. 3, 1917 when Sharp transcribed the melody and one verse. From the 1932 edition of EFSSA Sharp remarks about Version D: "The first stanza only was noted from Mr. Shadoin's singing. The remaining stanzas were copied from Professor Raine's collection, he having noted the text of the song from Mr. Shadoin on a former occasion."
This version was published by Raine and Cecil Sharp in Mountain Ballads for Social Singing, 1923, pp. 6-7.
R. Matteson 2014]
1. There was a little ship sailed for North Amerikee
Crying, O the lonesome Lowlands low [1]
There was a little ship sailed for Nouth Amerikee
And she went by the name of the Green Willow Tree
As she sailed from the Lowlands low.
2.She'd only been a-sailing for two weeks or three
Crying, O the lonesome Lowlands low
She'd only been a-sailing for two weeks or three
Till she was overtaken by a Turkish Reveree [2]
As we sailed from the Lowlands low.
3. Then the captain said, what shall we do?
Crying, O the lonesome Lowlands low
Then the captain said, what shall we do?
If they overtake us they'll cut us in two
As we sailed from the Lowlands low.
4. Up spake a sailor boy, What will you give to me
Crying, O the lonesome Lowlands low
Up spake a sailor boy, What will you give to me
If I go and sink for you the Turkish Reveree?
As we sailed from the Lowlands low.
5. I'll give gold, I'll give you fee,
Crying, O the lonesome Lowlands low
I'll give gold, I'll give you fee,
And my only daughter for your wedded wife to be!
As we sailed from the Lowlands low.
6. The lad leapt down and away swam he,
Crying, O the lonesome Lowlands low
The lad leapt down and away swam he,
And he swam till he came to the Turkish Reveree
As we sailed from the Lowlands low.
7. Then out of his pocket an instrument he drew,
Crying, O the lonesome Lowlands low
Then out of his pocket an instrument he drew,
And he bored nine holes for to let the water through
As we sailed from the Lowlands low.
8. There were some playing cards and some playing checks, [3]
Crying, O the lonesome Lowlands low
There were some playing cards and some playing checks,
And before they cleared the boards they were in water to their necks
As we sailed from the Lowlands low.
9. The lad turned back and away swam he,
Crying, O the lonesome Lowlands low
The lad fell upon his breast and away swam he,
And he swam till he come to the Green Willow Tree
As we sailed from the Lowlands low.
10. Cried he, Kind captain, I have done your decree,
Crying, O the lonesome Lowlands low
Cried he, Kind captain, I have done your decree,
Now take me on board ere I perish in the sea,
As we sailed from the Lowlands low.
11. Nay, nay sailor boy, I'll never take you on board,
Crying, O the lonesome Lowlands low
Nay, nay sailor boy, I'll never take you on board,
Never will I be to you as good as my word
As we sailed from the Lowlands low.
12.'Tis only the respect that I have for your crew,
Crying, O the lonesome Lowlands low
'Tis only the respect that I have for your crew,
Or I'd sink your ship and you with it too,
As we sailed from the Lowlands low.
13. Then he fell upon breast and away swam he,
Crying, O the lonesome Lowlands low
He fell upon breast and away swam he,
He swum till he come to the bottom of the sea
Adieu adieu to the Green Willow Tree!
Adieu to the Lowlands low.
1. Lowlands= Holland
2. Revelee= Robbery= Robber ship= Pirate ship
3. checkers