The Lover's Farewell- McClellan (FL) 1950 Morris
[From Folksongs of Florida; Morris, 1950. This is the "composed ballad" a version was published in 1849.
R. Matteson 2016]
36. SILVER DAGGER
This song, which usually bears the title "The Silver Dagger," appears under many variant titles in Florida. It has had widespread folk currency, especially in the South and West. The Florida variants have the conventional situations found in other reported variants.
"The Lover's Farewell." Recorded from the singing of Mrs. C. S. McClellan, High Springs, who learned this song from the singing ff her mother a native of Bradford County.
Young people, all come lend attention
To these few lines I am going to write.
There is a girl I will make no mention;
I loved her as I ever loved my life.
But when her parents come to know it,
They strived against us both day and night,
And all they had against this young man,
He was too poor they did oft time say.
"Oh Father, oh Father, you're a man of reason;
Oh Father, oh Father, do pity me,
For if I don't get my own heart's joy,
That will this would ever be to me?"
She rambled off all through the city;
She was looking for some lonesome place.
She rambled through fair Christian's valley,
And there sat down by a willow tree.
Then she drew out her silver weapon,
And thrushed[1] it into her lily-while breast;
And these few words she spoke as she staggered,
"Adieu, sweetheart, oh, I'm going to rest."
This young man was in the lonesome valley;
Her feeble voice he chanced to hear.
He ran like one distracted;
He said, "Oh, Lord, I'm ruined now."
Her cold black eyes like stars she opened;
She said, "True love you've come too late,
Prepare to meet me on Mount Zion,
There all our joys will be complete."
Then he picked up her bloody dagger,
Then thrushed[1] it into his own dear heart,
Saying, "Young people, let it be a dreadful warning,
To all true lovers who have to part."
1. "thrust" or "thrusted"