Traditional Ballads in New England. III
by Phillips Barry
The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 18, No. 71 (Oct. - Dec., 1905), pp. 291-304
[This is the third and last part of Barry's Traditional Ballads in New England. All three parts were published in 1905 in three consecutive editions of the JOAFL. This part has some additional variants of ballads in the first two parts in the Addenda. These early ballads are fully preserved because Barry recognized that including the tune whenever possible was as important as including lyrics.
The ballads from New England published in 1905 created an unspoken competition with Barry, representing the North and Reed Smith of South Carolina. Smith tabulated the Child ballads collected from the South and posted the numbers in the Journal. Unfortunately many US collectors in the early 1900s were focused on the Child ballads instead of preserving fiddle tune lyrics, gospel and blues.]
TRADITIONAL BALLADS IN NEW ENGLAND III
XIV. LORD LOVELL
A. Probably derived from an early broadside, now lost, from which the ballad has been transmitted in a large number of versions, differing from each other but slightly. I. Communicated to me by I. L. M., Vineland, N. J., as derived from a resident of Nantucket, Mass.
1. Lord Lovell he stood at his castle gate,
A-combing his milk-white steed,
When along came Lady Nancy Bell,
A-wishing her lover good speed, speed, speed,
A-wishing her lover good speed.
2. "Oh, where are you going, Lord Lovell?" she said,
"Oh, where are you going?" said she,
"I'm going, my dear Lady Nancy Bell,
Foreign countries for to see."
3. "When will you be back, Lord Lovell?" she said,
"When will you be back ?" said she,
"In a year or two, or three at most,
I'll be back to my Lady Nancy."
4. He had been gone a year and a day,
Foreign countries for to see,
When languishing thoughts came into his head,
Lady Nancy he 'd go to see.
5. So he rode and he rode on his milk-white steed,
Till he came to London town,
And there he heard St. Patrick's bells,
And the people a-moaning around.
6. "Oh, what is the matter?" Lord Lovell he said,
"Oh, what is the matter?" said he,
"There's a lady dead," a woman said,
"And they call her the Lady Nancy."
7. He ordered the grave to be opened wide,
The shroud to be turned down low,
And as he kissed her clay-cold lips,
The tears began to flow.
8. Lady Nancy, she died the same as to-day,
Lord Lovell the same as to-morrow,
Lady Nancy she died of pure grief,
Lord Lovell he died of sorrow.
9. They buried them both in St. Patrick's churchyard,
In a grave that was close by the spire,
And out of her breast there grew a red rose,
And out of Lord Lovell's a brier.
10. They grew and they grew to the church steeple top,
And then they could grow no higher,
They twined themselves in a true lover's knot,
For all true lovers to admire.
2. Contributed August 1, 1905, by I. L. M., Vineland, N. J., as derived from an aged resident of Brooklyn, Conn.
Lord Lov - ell, he stood by his gar - den gate,
A - comb - ing his milk - white steed,
When a - long came La - dy Nan - cy Bell,
A - wish - ing her lov - er good speed, speed, speed,
A - wish - ing her lov - er good speed.
VARIANTS
1a. Lord Lovell, he stood at his garden gate.
2a. "Oh, where are you going, Lord Lovell?" she cried.
3a. "When will you be back, Lord Lovell ?" she cried.
4d. Lady Nancy Bell he'd go see.
5c. And then he see such a mournful sight,
And the people all gathered around.
6. "Oh, what is the matter? " Lord Lovell he cried,
"Oh, what is the matter?" said he,
"Oh, a lady is dead, and her lover is gone,
And they call her the Lady Nancy."
8b. Lord Lovell he died as to-morrow.
9a. They buried them both by the castle wall.
10a. They grew, and they grew to the castle top.
B. Communicated by M. L. S., Newport, R . I., from the recitation of a very aged woman, native of Narragansett, R. I.
1. The Lady, she died of a broken heart,
Lord Lovell he died of sorrow.
2 The one was buried within the kirk,
The other within the choir,
And out of the one there sprang a birk,
And out of the other a brier.
3 They grew and they grew to the tall church top,
Until they could grow no higher,
Then turned about in a true lover's knot,
For all true lovers to admire,-ire,-ire,
For all true lovers to admire.
C. "Lord Lovell and Lady Ounceabel," melody copied by me May, 1904, from a manuscript in the Harvard University Library, presented by Miss Alice Hayes. Catalogued, Mus. 401, 2.
XV. BONNIE JAMES CAMPBELL
A. Taken down by me August 15, 1905, at Newbury, Vt., from the singing of R. J. P., Bury, P. Q., who learned it a few years ago from a very aged woman.
Sad - dled and bri - dled and boot - ed rode he,
Soon home came the sad - die, but nev - er came he.
XVI. THE HUNTING OF THE CHEVIOT
This ballad, one of the best in English, made famous by the appreciative essay of Addison, and for centuries a favorite in England, had widespread currency in American colonial times. Interesting in this connection is the following anecdote of the battle of Lexington, recorded by Dr. Gordon, at that time minister of the church at Jamaica Plain:
"The brigade marched out, playing, by way of contempt, 'Yankee Doodle,' a song composed in derision of the New Englanders, commonly called Yankees. A smart boy, observing it as the troops passed through Roxbury, made himself extremely merry with the circumstance, jumping and laughing to attract the attention of His Lordship, who, it is said, asked him at what he was laughing so heartily, and was answered: 'To think how you will dance by-and-by to "Chevy Chase." ' "
A. Broadside printed about I810, by Nathaniel Coverly, Jr., Boston, Mass., of which two copies are known to me, one in the Isaiah Thomas collection of the American Antiquarian Society at Worcester, Mass., the other in the Boston Public Library.
Differs only in eccentric spelling from the textus receptus of the Percy MS.
B. Melody from a Newburyport, Mass., MS. of I790, contributed by B. O., Cambridge, Mass.
XVII. OUR GOODMAN
A. Recited to me March 30, 1905, by D. D. B., Cambridge, Mass., in whose family it has been traditional for over a century.
1. I went into my parlor, and there I did see
Three gentlemen's wigs, sir, without the leave of me!
I called it for my Goodwife,
. . . . . . . ."
What do you want? " said she,
"How came these gentlemen's wigs here without the leave of me ?"
2. "You old fool, you blind fool, can't you very well see?
They are three cabbage heads which my mother sent to me! "
"Hobs nobs ! Well done! Cabbage heads with hair on!
The like I never see!"
3. I went into my stable, and there I did see
Three gentlemen's horses, sir, without the leave of me.
I called it for my Goodwife, -- " What do you want?" said she,
"How came these gentlemen's horses here without the leave of me?"
4. You old fool, you blind fool, can't you very well see?"
They are three milking cows, which my mother sent to me!"
"Hobs nobs! Well done! Milking cows with saddles on!
The like I never see! "
XVIII. YOUNG HUNTING
A. Melody to a version of this ballad traditional for many years in Bury, P. Q. Sung at Newbury, Vt., August 15, 1905, by R. J. P.
XIX. THE BROWN GIRL
A. Melody to a version of this ballad, traditional for many years in Bury, P. Q. Sung at Newbury, Vt., August 15, 1905, by R. J. P.
XX. SPRINGFIELD MOUNTAIN
This ballad, edited by Mr. W. W. Newell, in No. 49 of this Journal, enjoys the distinction of being the only known traditional ballad based upon an American incident.
Absurd in itself, it has a unique interest for the collector of folk-songs, as illustrating the genesis of a ballad in our own time.
A. Fragment of a ballad sung by my grandfather, T. L. S., from my mother's recollection.
1. As I was mowin' in the field,
A viper bit me on the heel.
B. Contributed b y L. W. H., Cambridge Mass., in whose family it has been traditional or three generations.
1. On Hoosic Mountain there did dwell
A hawk-eyed youth I knowed full well.
Ri too ral loo, ri too ral lay,
Ri too ral loo, ri too ral lay.
2. One day this John he did go
Down to the meadow for to mow.
3. He had not mowed nigh half a field,
When a pesky sarpent bit his heel.
4. He riz his scythe, and with one blow,
He laid that pesky sarpent low.
5. He took it up into his hand,
And kerried it to Molly-i Bland.
6. "Oh, Molly-i, Molly-i, here you see
The pesky sarpent what bit me."
7. "Oh, John!" said she, "Why did you go
Down to the meadow for to mow?"
8. "Oh, Molly-i, Molly-i," John he said,
" 'T was Father's hay, which had got to be mow-ed!"
9. He riz his heel into her lip,
The pesky pizen for to sip.
10. And heving there a hollow tooth,
The pizen took upon them both.
11. Their bodies now are 'neath the sod,
Their souls, I trust, are jined to God.
C. Recollected June 17, 1904, by a very aged lady, and recorded by E. E. D., Cambridge, Mass.
1. On Springfile Mounting there did dwell
A likeli youth as I've heern tell,
A likeli youth, just twenti-one,
Leftenant Curtis's onli son,
Onli son,
Leftenant Curtis's onli son.
2. This likeli youth to the field did go,
And took his scythe all for to mow,
But as he went, he chanced to feel
A pison sarpent bite his heel.
3. He threw his scythe upon the ground,
And with his eyes he look-ed around
To see if he could anyone spy,
To take him away, where he might die.
4. Then this dear youth gin up the ghost,
And to Abraham's bosom quickli did post,
Crying all the way, as on he went,
"Cru-el, cru-el, cru-el sarpent."
5. Now all good people assembled here,
O'er this poor youth to shed a tear,
From his example warning take,
And shun the pison of a snake.
D. Contributed by A. M., as sung half a century ago.
1. On Springfield Mountain there did dwell
A likely youth as I 've heerd tell,
A likely youth of twenty-one,
Leftenant Curtis' onlie son,
Onlie son,
Leftenant Curtis' onlie son.
2. On Monday morning he did go
Down to the meadow for to mow,--
He mowed around till he did feel
Some pizen sarpent bite his heel.
3. He laid his scythe down on the ground,
And with his eyes he looked around,
To see if he could anyone spy,
To carry him home, where he might die.
4. This young man soon gin up the ghost,
And away from this carnal world did post
Crying all the way, as on he went,
"Cru-el, cru-el, cru-el sarpent."
E. "Springfield Mountain" contributed by M. L. J., Lynn, Mass., as sung fifty years ago.
1. On Springfield Mountain there did dwell
A noble youth, - I knew him well,
Leftenant Davis' only son,
A loveli youth just twenti one.
2. He went upon a summer's day
Out to the field to cut the hay,
But ah! alas! he soon did feel
A peski sarpint bite his heel.
F. "On the Springfield Mountains!" Broadside, printed about 1850, now in the Boston Public Library.
1. On the Springfield Mountains there did dwell
A noble youth I knew full well.
Ki tiddle linker da,
Ki tiddle linker da,
Ki tiddle linker da ri O.
2. One fine spring morning he did go
Down in the meadow all for to mow.
3. He had not mowed quite around the field,
When a poison serpent bit his heel.
4. They carried him home to Sally dear,
Which made her feel all over queer.
5. "My Johnny dear, why did you go
Down in the meadow for to mow?"
6 " My Sally dear, don't you know,
That Daddy's grass we must mow?"
7 Now all young men a warning take,
And don't get bit by a big black snake.
8 Now, if you don't like my song,
Just take your hat and trudge along.
G. "The Serpent." Taken down by me, October io, 1905, from the singing of R. B. C., Newbury, Vt., in whose family it has been traditional for half a century or more.
1. On Greenland's mountain there did dwell, -
Tim-i-i-tum-tum, tiddy-addy-a, -
On Greenland's mountain there did dwell, -
Tim-r-out!
On Greenland's mountain there did dwell
A lovely youth is known quite well.
N-ya-ha-ha, n-ya-ha-ha!
2. One Monday morn this youth did go
Down in the meadow for to mow.
3. He had not mowed half 'crost the field,--
He felt a serpent bite his heel.
4. They carried him to his Sally dear,
Which made him feel so very queer.
5. "Why my dearest Joe, why did you go
Down in the meadow for to mow.
6. "Why, my Sally dear, I s'pose you know
Your daddy's grass it must be mowed."
7 This lovely youth gave up the ghost,
For fear that he would poison both.
8 Now it's a warning too, - all lovers take,
And shun the bite of a rattlesnake.
H. Taken down by me, July 29, 1904, from the singing of A. E. B., Bradford, Vt., as sung years ago in East Wisconsin.
1. On Springfield Mountain there did dwell
A comely youth I knew full well-i-ell-i-ell-i-ell,
Ri turi nuri, turi nay,
Ri turi nuri turi nuri nay.
2. One summer morning he did go
Down in the meadow for to mow.
3. He had scarce mowed one half the field,
When a pison serpent bit his heel.
4. He raised his scythe and with one blow
He laid the slimy creature low.
5 They took him to his Molly dear,
Which made her feel so very queer.
6 "Oh, Johnny dear, why did you go
Down in the meadow for to mow?"
7 "Why Molly dear, I thought you knowed
Your old dad's meadow had to be mowed!"
8 Then Molly, she went round the town,
To find something to cure his wound.
9 Then Johnny, he gave up the ghost,
And straight to Abraham's bosom did post.
10. Now all young folks, a warning take,
And shun the bite of a rattlesnake.
I. Taken down by me, October 25, 1905, from the singing of W. D., East Corinth, Vt., as learned some years ago in Northborough, Mass.
I On Springfield Mountain there did dwell
A likely youth, as I 've heern tell, -
i-ell-i-ell-i-ell,
Ri turi loo, ri turi lay,
Ri turi loo, ri turi lay.
2. He took his scythe and off did go
Down to the meadow for to mow.
3. He'd scarcely mowed twice round the field,
When a peski sarpent bit him on the heel.
4. "Oh, Sam-u-el, why did ye go
Down to the meadow for to mow?"
J. Taken down by me, November 10, 1905, from the recitation of M. D., Boston, Mass. Probably derived with I. from a common source.
1. On Springfield Mountain there did dwell
A beauti-ous youth, as I 've heerd tell,
i-ell-i-ell-i-ell,
Ri turi loo, ri turi lay,
Ri turi loo, ri turi lay.
2. He took his scythe and off did go
Down in the meadow for to mow.
3. He had scarce mowed twice round the field,
When a pizen sarpent bit him on the heel.
4 He laid him down under the sky,
He laid him down and there did die!
5 " Oh, Samu-el, why did ye go
Down in the meadow for to mow?"
ADDENDA
VI. HENRY MARTIN
B. From "Boston Transcript," Query 3 051,- answered by A. C. A., who states: "I can give the song, as I heard it sung many years ago in Portland, Me., by Eliza Ostinelli, daughter of Ostinelli, the musician-, she afterwards went to Italy, where she married, and was known as Mme. Biscaccianti, "The American Thrush."
1. There dwelt three brothers in merry Scotland,
Three brothers there dwelt there, three,
And they did cast lots to see which one
Should go robbing upon the salt sea,
Should go robbing upon the salt sea.
2. The lot it fell upon Andrew Martine
The youngest of the three,
That he should go robbing upon the salt sea,
To support his three brothers and he.
3. "Oh, who are you?" said Andrew Martine,
"Who are you that comes tossing so high?"
"I am a brave ship from merry England,
Will you please for to let me pass by?"
4. "Oh, no, oh no!" said Andrew Martine,
"Oh no, that never can be!"
Your ship and your cargo we 'll all take away,
And your bodies give to the salt sea!"
5 The news it came to merry England,
And to King George's ears,
And he did fit out a nice little band,
For to catch this Andrew Martine.
6. "Oh, who are you? " said Captain Charles Stuart,
"Who are you that comes tossing so high?
"I am a brave ship from merry Scotland,
Will you please for to let me pass by?"
7. "Oh, no, oh no!" said Captain Charles Stuart,
"Oh, no that never can be!
Your ship and your cargo we 'll all take away,
And your bodies give to the salt sea."
8. They fought and fought, and fought again,
Until the light did appear,
And where was Andrew, and all his brave crew?
Their bodies were in the salt sea."
X. LORD RANDAL
R. Taken down by me, October 10, 1905, from the singing of R. B. C., Newbury, Vt., in whose family it has been traditional for a century.
1. "Oh, where have you been a-courting, Fair Nelson, my son?
Oh, where have you been a-courting, my fair, - you are a pretty one!"
"I've been courting my Julia, mother make my bed soon,
For I 'm sick to my heart, and I long to lie down."
2. "What did you have for your breakfast, Fair Nelson, my son?
What did you have for your breakfast, my fair, - you are a pretty one!"
"Eels; fried in batter, mother make my bed soon,
For I 'm sick to my heart, and I long to lie down."
3. "What will you will to your father, fair Nelson, my son?
What will you will to your father, my fair, - you are a pretty one!"
"My land and my houses, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I long to lie down."
4. " What will you will to your mother, Fair Nelson, my son?
What will you will to your mother, my fair, - you are a pretty one!"
"My gold and my silver, mother make my bed soon,
For I 'm sick to my heart, and I long to lie down."
5. "What will you will to your Julia, Fair Nelson, my son?
What will you will to your Julia, my fair, - you are a pretty one!"
"Hell-fire and brimstone, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I long to lie down."
Phillips Barry.