The Half Hitch- Chase (VT) c.1850 Flanders B
[My date, based on the age of the informant who was born circa 1834. From Vermont Folk-Songs & Ballads, 236, Flanders, and Ancient Ballads, 1966. This text was sent and Flanders kept the original spelling. The age of the ballad is unknown but it could easily be much older.
R. Matteson 2014]
B. The Half Hitch. Contributed by Mrs. Jane H. Chase (b. circa 1835) of Jeffersonville, Vermont, at the age of 95. This was remembered from the singing of her mother, who died at the age of 95. Copied literatim et punctatim. Printed in Vermont Folk-Songs & Ballads, 236, in slightly shorter form and as collected in 1931. H. H. F., Collector; June 5, 1930.
The Half Hitch
T'was of a rich man who in Plymouth did dwell
He had a fine daughter a beautiful girl
A young man of honor and money supplied
He courted this fair maid for to be his bride
And for to be his bride
He courted her long and gained her love
At length she intended this young man to Prove
Once more he said to her and thus she replied
She told him down planely she would not be his bride
She would not be his bride
Of all the sad oaths he to her did swear
Saying right home I quickly will steer
I'll have the first that says she'll have me
If she is as mean as a beggar can be
As a beggar can be
She ordered her servants this man to delay
Her rings and her jewels she quick laid away
She put on the worst old rags she could find
She looked like a beggar before and behind
Before and behind
She blacked her hands o'er on the chimney back
Her face likewise from corner to crack
And down to the road she flew like a witch
With her her petticoats hoisted upon her half hitch
And upon her half hitch
As he was riding along in haste he drew near
He cried out alas for my oaths I do fear
As she stubbed along with her shoe heels eskew
He soon overtook her and said who be you
And said who be you
I'm a woman (This is to be spoken)
This answer it struck him with grief to the heart
He wished for his life that it soon might depart
Oh heavens said he I wish I'de been burried
He quickly then asked her saying are you married
Saying are you married
No I'm not (This is spoken not sung)
This answer it struck him unto a dead man
He stumbled and staggerd and scarcely could stand
Oh how can I bear the thoughts then said he
He quickly then asked her saying will you have me
Saying will you have me
(Spoken) Yes I will
This answer it suited as bad as the rist [rest]
Altho it lay heavy in this young man's breast
And when he saw he must make her his bride
He quickly then asked her behind him to ride
Behind him to ride
(Spoken) Your horse will kick up and throw me off I know he will
My horse he is gentle I think he will not
So straight way on straddle behind him she got
His heart it did fail him he durs't nor go home
His parents would think he was surely undone
He was surely undone
He carried her to a neighbor with whom he was great
And all the sad. stories to them did relate
saying here with this neighbor a few days you must tarry
And in a short rime with you I will marry
(Spoken) You wont I know you wont
He told her he would and home he go
He told his father and mother also
Of all the sad oaths he to her he had sworn
His father said for that do not mourn
For that do not mourn
He sent for his old girl the wedding to come
Her servants replied she is not at home
He invited the servants to wait on her there
And then for the wedding they all did prepare
they all did prepare
His father said to him your girl has come home
And weel fix her up and she'l do pretty well
So published they were and invited the guest
And then they intended the bride to have dress'ed
The bride to have dress'ed
(spoken) I'll be married in my own clothes I spose
when the marriage was over they sat down to eat
with her fingers she took hold of the cabbage and meat
Oh how she burned her fingers I fag
She licked them and wiped them along on her rags
And along on her rags
Then fircer than ever she at it again
Some laughed in their sleeves till their sides were in
And as she stood stooping they to her replied
Go sit yourself down by your true lovers side
Your true lovers side
(Spoken) (I can set in the corner as I used to I spose)
Some laughed in their sleeves till their sides they did ache
And others with sorrow all ready to break
Oh give me a candle and I'll go to bed
I mean to go all alone then she said
A11 alone then she said
(Spohen) (When you hear my old shoes go clung you may come)
Up stairs she went and a thrashing about
His mother said Son oh what is the rout
Oh Mother dear Mother pray say not one word
No comfort to me this world can afford
and This world can afford
They listned awhile her old shoes went clung
They gave him a candle bade him go along
I rather go in the dark then he said
For I know very well the way to the bed
And the way to the bed
He launched into bed with his back to his bride
And she turned over from side unto side
Oh how the bedstead did holler and squeal
He says what does ail you why dont you lie still
Why dont you lie still [1]
(Spoken) (My shins are sore I want a light to dress them with)
He called for a candle to dress his brides shins
And behold she was dressed in the finest of things
He says is it you my dear jewel at last
She answered it was and they all came in haste
And they all came in haste
Down stairs and a frolic they had
And all the sad hearts were merry and glad
They looked like two pictures pleasing to the eye
With many fair glasses they bade them good bye
They bade them good bye
1 This stanza and the one above it were recalled in outline only in the form of the song given by Mrs. Chase in 1931 and printed in Vermont Folk-Songs & Ballads.