The Silver Dagger- Mary Lindsay (IL-NE) 1920 Pound B
[From Pound, "American Folk-Songs," 1922. In 1914 Pound wrote: Her lover heard her voice, rushed to her, found her dying, and killed himself with the same dagger.
R. Matteson 2016]
(B) SILVER DAGGER The second text was learned in Mackinaw, Illinois, by Mrs. Mary F. Lindsay of Hebron, Nebraska.
Come sit you down and give attention
Of these few lines I am going to write.
'Tis of a comely youth whose name I'll mention
Who lately courted a beauteous bride.
But when her parents came to know it,
They strove, they strove, by night and day
To keep her from her own dear William.
"He is poor," they would ofttimes say.
She being young and tender-hearted,
Not knowing what she must undergo,
She wandered far, she left the city,
Some shady grove and field to view.
She being alone down by the river,
All in the shade of a blooming tree,
She says, "And shall I, shall I ever,
The wife of my Sweet William be?"
She then pulled out a silver dagger,
And pierced it through her snowy white breast;
Saying these words, just as she staggered,
"Farewell, true love, I'm going to rest."
He being lone down in the city,
Hearing the moans this young lady made,
He run like one almost distracted,
Saying, "Alas, I am undone."
She opened her eyes like stars a-drooping;
She says, "True love, you have come too late.
Prepare to meet me on Mount Zion,
Where all our joys will be complete."
He then picked up the silver dagger,
And pierced it through his tender heart,
Saying, "Let this be an awful warning
To all that do true lovers part."