The Silver Dagger- Sal Jenkins (IN-NY)1849 Gazette
[Originally from: Spirit of the Times: A Chronicle of the Turf, Agriculture, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage --a weekly newspaper published in New York City. Reprinted in 1849 in Gazette of the Union, Golden Rule and Odd-fellows' Family Companion, Volumes 10-11; 1849 Published: New York, N.Y.: J. Winchester.
The legitimacy of this account and of "Sal Jenkins" as an informant is questionable. Jenkins had to have learned it somewhere - an unknown print source. This article, a reprint of the earliest extant print version, helped promote the composed version of "Silver Dagger."
R. Matteson 2016]
Indiana Quilting Parties (excerpt)
“Sal Jenkins, you come right up here and open them jaws o’ your'n fust with me!”
Miss Julia whispered to me: “ Sally is nothing but a good singer; she leads in the meetin’--home, and that's her beau.”
The play (I never shall forget it) commenced with “Over the hills and lofty mountings.” A musical friend, who was with our company, complimented Miss Sally on her great vocal powers, and she told him he “hadn't half heard her yit.” He asked her if she was fond of sentimental songs. She said she didn't know what they meant, but she knew one that always made her feel so bad when she sang it.
"Oh, my law! Sal," said an old maid, who they called Miss Betsy, “now do sing the Silver Dagger. Oh, it is so infecting! I’ll git ‘em all to shot up while you sing it, because its jest like nature where true lovers are parted. Shet up!" bawled Miss Betsey, (whose word was law.) “ Sally is goin’ to sing the Silver Dagger.”
"Oh, do! do! do! Sally!" came from a dozen voices at once.
Hush! all was still. After a glass of sprucebeer, Miss Sally sang the following, which I was most fortunate in getting a copy of, next day, from her own fair hand:
The Silver Dagger
Young men and maidens pray lend attention,
To these few lines I am about to write:
It is as true as ever was mentioned
Concerning a fair beauty bright.
A young man courted her to be his darling
He loved her as he loved his life,
And often times to her he vowed
That he would make her his lawful wife.
But when his father came to know it,
He strove to part them night and day;
To part him from his own dear jewel
She is poor, she is poor, he did oft-times say.
Then on his bended knees he bowed,
Saying, father, father, pity me,
For I to her my love have showed
What would this world be, without her, to me?
Now when this lady came to hear this,
She quickly resolved what she would do;
She wandered forth and left the city,
No more the pleasant groves to view.
She wandered down by a flowing river,
And there for death she did prepare;
Saying, here I'll end my youthful morning,
or I am sunk in deep despair.
Then out she pulled her Silver Dagger.
And pierced it through her snow white breast;
At first she reeled, and then she staggered,
Saying, oh! my dear, I’m going to rest.
Then he being near her in a thicket,
He thought he heard his true love's voice;
He ran, he ran, like one distracted,
Saying, oh! my dear, I fear you’re lost.
Then up he picked the bleeding body,
And rolled it over in his arms;
Is there no friend nor gold can save you,
Or must you die with all your charms?
Her coal black eyes like stars she opened,
Saying, oh! my dear, you have come too late,
But prepare to meet me in Mount Zion,
Where all our joys will be complete.
Then up he picked the bloody weapon,
And pierced it through his own dear heart—
Saying, let this be a woful warning
To all that does true lovers part.
After the song, Miss Sally was complimented from all hands. . .
[N.Y. Spirit of the Times]