The Lover's Ghost- Day (NL) 1929 Karpeles B
[From Karpeles' Folk Songs from Newfoundland, 1934. Karpeles published three versions of this ballad, all titled The Lover's Ghost, from Newfoundland. Two (A and B) were published in Folk Songs from Newfoundland and one in "15 Songs from Newfoundland" with piano arrangements and no notes nor informant named.
Karpeles first collecting trip to Newfoundland began on Sept. 9, 1929 and ended Oct. 29, 1929. She came back the next summer in 1930.
R. Matteson 2013]
B. THE LOVER'S GHOST (The Grey Cock)- Sung by Mr. James Day at Fortune Harbour, 1st October, 1929; Karpeles B.
Johnny is the young man that lately promised he'd marry me,
But I am afeard that he is . . .
There's something else bewailed him or else he got a charm
Or always with some fair one he's gone.
But John he come back at the very hour he appointed,
Tappen to her window so low.
The fair one then arose and hurried on her clothes
And welcomed her true love young John.
She got him by the hand and 'twas through the room she ledded him,
She felt he was colder than clay.
She says: My dearest dear, if I only had my wish,
This long night would never be day.
Where is your soft bed of down, my love, she cries,
Or where is your white holland sheet,
Or where is the maiden sweet that used to wait on you
Every night in your long silent sleep?
The sand is my soft bed of down, my love, he cries,
And the waves is my white holland sheet,
And the rocks and the worms is my jury just [sic] companion,
Every night I sleep in the deep.
When will I see you again, my love, she cries,
Or when will I see you any more?
When the little fishes fly and the seas will run dry
And the hard rocks will melt with the sun.
Additional stanza given 2nd October:
The birds they must be false and very false, she cries,
They crow two hours too soon;
Their combs must be made of the very beads of gold
And their wings of the silver so fine.