The Lady Lived Near New York Town- Webb (WV) 1954 Gainer
[From Folk Songs from the West Virginia Hills; 1975. His notes follow. Gainer is not a reputable collector and this is likely a ballad recreation- since it was not mentioned in the Boette's 1971 book, Singa Hipsy Doodle, which Gainer contributed but this ballad was not mentioned or included.
R. Matteson 2013. 2016]
THE LADY NEAR NEW YORK TOWN- Patrick Gainer, with notes- below:
(CHILD 272, "THE SUFFOLK MIRACLE")
This ballad is rare in West Virginia tradition. It appeared in Folk Songs of the South in 1925, but Dr. Cox states that the incident of the handkerchief being tied around the head of the corpse has never been found in any West Virginia version. Our complete version which follows was sung by Mrs. Nancy Webb, of Raleigh County, in 1954. She said she had learned the song from her mother.
The beautiful young woman falls in love with a farmer boy against her parents' will. They send her away three hundred miles or more to live with her uncle so that she will forget her lover. Twelve months later her lover calls for her on horseback to take her home. she gladly goes with him, riding on the horse behind him. when he complains of a headache, she ties her handkerchief around his head. When she kisses him she says his lips are colder than clay. when they arrive at her father's house, the lover disappears, and when the grave of the lover is opened, the corpse is found with the handkerchief tied around, his head.
1. There was a young lady near New York Town,
She was most beautiful, young and tall
She was most beautiful, young and tall,
She wore a handsome face withal.
2 By chance there came a farmer's boy,
Who gained her love with all great joy.
When her two parents came to know,
They sent her three hundred miles or more.
"Your mother's clothes, your father's steed,
I've come for thee all in great speed."
And as her uncle understood,
He thought it might be for her good.
So he helped her all on behind him,
They traveled swifter than the wind,
But before they reached her father's gate,
He did complain his head did ache.
She pulled out her handkerchief,
And bound it around about his head,
She kissed his lips and then did say,
"My love, they're colder than the clay."
6 "When we get home, good fires we'll have,"
But little did she know he was from his grave,
And about three hours or a little bit more,
She rapped all on her father's door.
7 Her father rose, put on his clothes,
"You're welcome home, dear child," says he,
"You're welcome home, dear child," says he,
"But what kind friend has come with thee?"
8 "Did you not send that loving man?"
"That man, that man, he can love no more,"
And to know he had been twelve months dead,
This made the hair raise on his head.
9 He summoned a judge and a jury too,
They opened the coffin of him to view,
And they knew that he had been twelve months dead,
But there was that handkerchief around his head.
10 Come all you people, both young and old,
And love your children dearer than gold,
And let your children have their way,
For now you see love won't decay.