The Silver Dagger- Dora McAtee (IN) 1935 Brewster A1
[From Brewster: Ballads and Songs of Indiana; 1940. His notes follow.
This is a version of the composed ballad, Silver Dagger, from the early 1800s.
R. Matteson 2016]
38 THE SILVER DAGGER
Four texts of this song have been recovered in Indiana, all of them under the title "The Silver Dagger." All four tell the same story. For other American texts and references, see Campbell and Sharp, II, p. 229; Cox, p. 350; Journal, XX, 267; XXX, 362; XLVI, 45; XLIX, 211; Hudson, Folksongs, p. 188; Pound, Ballads, No. 52; Sturgis and Hughes, Songs from the Hills of Vermont, p. 30; Thomas, p. 110; Neely, Tales and Songs of Southern Illinois, p. 162.
A. "The Silver Dagger." Contributed by Mrs. Dora McAtee, of Oakland City, Indiana. Gibson County. March 20, 1935.
1. A young man courted his own dear darling,
And he loved her as he loved his life;
He often thought that he would marry
And make of her his own dear wife.
2. But when his parents came to know it,
They strove to part them both night and day,
To part him from his own dear darling;
" 'T is true she is poor," they oft would say."
3. When this young lady came to hear it,
She soon resolved what she would do;
She wandered forth and left the city,
Her pleasant home no more to view.
4. She wandered down by the flowing river,
And there for death she did prepare;
"Here I lay[1] my youthful morning,
For I am lost in sad despair.'
5. She then picked up a silver dagger
And pierced it through her snowy breast;
At first she reeled and then she staggered,
Saying, "O my love, I'm going to rest."
6. Her lover being In a thicket near her,
Thought he heard his true-love's voice.
He ran, he ran like one distracted,
Saying, "0 my love, I fear you're lost!"
7. He then picked up the bleeding body
And rolled it over in his arms, Saying,
"Isn't there power or gold can save you,
Or must you die with all your charms?"
8. He then picked up the bloody weapon
And pierced it through his own warm heart,
Saying, "Let this be an old folks' warning,
That young true-lovers can never part."
1 For leave ?