The Six Fair Maids- Icenham (NC) 1915 Brown F
[From Brown Collection of NC Folklore, version F. There are 7 versions of text A-G plus six additional versions with music in Vol. 4. Thomas Smith was a frequent contributor to the Brown Collection and later in the 1930s for Davis in Virginia.
R. Matteson 2014]
F. 'The Six Fair Maids.' Sent in by Thomas Smith of Zionville, Watauga county, with the notation that it was recited to him February in 1915, by a relative of his, Mrs. Rebecca Icenham, who had always lived in Watauga county and had know this song since her childhood. Although considerably reduced, it contains all the essentials of the story.
1 He jumped upon the milk-white steed
And her on the iron gray.
They rode till they come to the river side,
Two hours before it was day.
2 'Light off, light off, my pretty little miss.
Light you off, I say.
Six pretty maids have I drowned here,
And you the seventh shall be.
3 'Pull off that fine silk dress
And hang it on my knee.
It is too fine and costly
To rot in the sea sandee.'
4 'Turn your back, you dirty dog,
Turn your back,' said she;
'Ain't it a shame and a scandal
A naked woman for to see!'
5 She picked him up so manfully
And plunged him into the sea.
'Six fair maids you have drowned here,
And you the seventh shall be.'
6 'Hold your tongue, my pretty parrot.
Don't tell no tales on me.
And your cage shall be lined with gold dust
And your doors with ivoree.'