The Silver Dagger- (NC) pre1932 Greer MS- 2
[No informant or location named. W. L. Eury Appalachian Collection, Appalachian State University; Greer Collection MS, lyric variant No. 2; before 1932.
This is a version of the 11 stanza "composed" ballad title "Silver Dagger" from the early 1800s in the US. A version was published in 1849 and 1850.
R. Matteson 2016]
The Silver Dagger (2)- Greer Collection before 1932
A young man courted a lady,
He counted her by night and day.
He courted her to be his jewel,
He courted her to be his wife.
And when his parents came to know this
They sought to part them night and day,
To part him from his own dear jewel,
"She is too poor," they would often say.
And when this lady came to know this,
She quick[ly] resolved what she would do.
She wandered down by the flowing river
Those pleasant groves no more to view.
She then drew forth her silver dagger,
And pierced it through her snow white
Saying: "Farewell friends, to all around me,
I am going home to rest."
He being hill in yonder thicket,
Thought he heard his true love's voice.
He ran, he ran like one distracted,
Saying: "Oh, my dear, I fear you're lost."
Her coal-black eyes like dew-drops sparkled,
Saying: "Oh, my dear, you've come too late.
Prepare to meet me on Mt. Zion,
Where all our joys shall conquer fate."
He then picked up that bloody body,
And rolled it over in his arms.
Saying: "There's no price. or gold can save you;
You must die with all your charms."
He then picked up that bloody weapon,
And pierced it through his own dear heart.
Saying: "Let this be a doleful warning
To those who make true lovers part."