US & Canada Versions: 2. The Drowsy Sleeper (Awake, Awake/ Bedroom Window/The Silver Dagger/O Katie Dear)
Silver Dagger Close up- painting by R. Matteson 2008
Silver Dagger (painting lyrics)
"Who's that knocking at my window,
Knocks so loud and won't come in?"
'Tis your own true-hearted lover
Rise you up and let him in.
Her hair was gold and her eyes was sparkling,
And her cheeks were diamond red.
And on her breast she wore a lily
To morn the tears that I did shed.
"Oh Katie dear go ask your mother,
If you can be a bride of mine.
If she says yes come back and tell me,
If she says no we'll run away."
"Oh Willie dear I cannot ask her,
She's in her room up taking a rest.
And by her side is a silver dagger,
To slay the man that I love best."
Then he picked up that silver dagger
And stove it through his weary heart.
Saying, "Goodbye Katie, goodbye darling,
At last the time has come to part.
"Then don't you see that cloud a rising
To shield us from the rising sun;
Oh, won't you be glad my own true lover
When you and I become as one?"
Then she picked up that bloody dagger,
And stove it through her lily-white breast.
Saying, "Goodbye Willie, goodbye mother,
I'll die with the one that I love best."
"Who s at My Bedroom Window?" --broadside by H. J. Wehman, Song Publisher, 50 Chatham St., New York; 1890
Who is it at my bedroom window?
Who is it mourns so bitterly?
’Tis I, ’tis I, your own true lover,
’Tis I that mourns so bitterly.
Oh! Katy dear, go ask your mother
If you my wedded wife may be;
And if she says no, return and tell me,
Then I no more shall trouble thee.
Oh! Willie dear, I dare not ask her,
For she intends to keep me in;
So, Willie dear, you go and ask her
If I your wedded wife may be.
Oh! Katy dear, go ask your father
If you my wedded wife may be;
And if he says no, return and tell me,
And I no more shall trouble thee.
Oh! Willie dear, I dare not ask him,
For he lies on his bed of rest;
And by his side lays a silver dagger,
To pierce the young man that I love best.
So Willie took that silver dagger
And pierced it through his own true breast;
Saying, adieu to father, adieu to mother,
Adieu sweet Katy, for thee I rest.
So Katy drew that bloody dagger
And pierced it through her lily-white breast;
Saying, adieu to father, adieu to mother,
Adieu sweet Willie, with thee I rest.
So dig my grave both long and deep,
Place a marble stone at my head and feet,
And on my breast a turtle dove,
To show the world I died for love.
____________________________
Narrative: American Versions (North America and Bahama) 2. Drowsy Sleeper (Bedroom Window; Oh Katie Dear; Silver Dagger)
The ballad in America has assumed a different story-line than the British broadsides, the Irish, "Sweet Bann Water" or the Scottish "I Will Set My Ship In Order." After the initial "wake up" stanzas that correspond to the British broadsides, the daughter is instructed by her lover to ask her mother's consent to be married. When that fails he asks her to ask the father who is usually at his rest with a weapon by his side to slay the one she loves best. Failing to gain their consent, her lover takes the weapon (a silver, shining or golden dagger) and thrusts it into his own breast. She completes the tragedy by taking the dagger and plunging it into her breast. Sometimes the lovers do not commit suicide and there is a concluding stanza or stanzas in which the banished lover vows to drink "only tears of sorrow" and she responds in vain-- for it too late for him to come back-- that she will leave her mother and father to go with him. This ending is reminiscent of the Scottish variants. The "Awake" stanza is sometimes replaced with and even older "night visit" stanza which begins, "Who is (knocking) at my bedroom window?" For an example of that stanza see the Wehman broadside above. For the history of the stanza see the main headnotes.
Based on this traditional ballad's usual double suicide is a "composed ballad" of unknown origin which was written in the early 1800s. A collected version of this "composed ballad" titled, "The Silver Dagger," was published in 1849 as part of an article titled "An Indiana Quilting Party.[1]" The eleven stanza ballad, credited to "Sal Jenkins," has the same tragic theme as the traditional version and includes one and a half stanzas (stanza 7 and half of eleven) of the tradition ballad. Unfortunately, the original "composed ballad," which was surely written in the US, has never been found. The theme varies slightly from the traditional ballad and ends with the double suicide. Usually has the daughter has been told by the boy's parents that she is too poor to marry her lover. Rejected by his parents she becomes distraught and kills herself. Then her lover, who is nearby, finds her dying and kills himself with the same silver dagger. Both ballads became popular as one of the great love tragedies in song and are reminiscent of the death by suicide of the star-crossed lovers in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." The composed ballad has continued to be sung traditionally in North America but was never commercially popular. The traditional ballad was recorded by early country singers in the 1920s and has been very popular due to recent recordings by Joan Baez, The Old Crow Medicine Show and Dolly Parton. It continues to be recorded as an old-time and bluegrass song. Because of the traditional ballad's popularly and the number of early recordings and radio exposure from the 1920s to the 1940s, many later versions may not be traditional but should be considered "cover songs." This includes several version in my collection such as "Katie Dear" by the Louvin Brothers and "Katie Dear" by J. E. Mainer[2].
This traditional ballad was brought by the early settlers into the Appalachians through the Virginia Colony. It was known by informants as a very old ballad. If the ballad is traced through family history it surely reached the mountains many years before before the 1817 British broadside, and "composed ballad" were printed. I'd estimate an arrival date of the late 1700s[3]. The traditional ballad has been found throughout America but is rare in Canada and less known in the Northeast. Phillips Barry printed only the melody[4] and found one version in Maine[5] and none appear in his BFSSNE[6]. In the Northeast the traditional ballad has been collected in Maritime Canada, Maine, New York, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Almost all the versions collected by Creighton (Nova Scotia) and Flanders (Maine, Vermont) have not been published[7]. Assuming a westward migration, versions from the Northeast have disseminated from there to Michigan, Ohio and Illinois. The ballad was well known in the Appalachians and found also in the south. The traditional Drowsy Sleeper versions in America include these titles: "Awake, Awake," "Who's At My Bedroom Window," "Bedroom Window," "The Silver Dagger,[8]" "Willie and Mary," "Oh Molly Dear" and "Katie Dear."
Another version mentioned above is the "composed ballad" which was based on the double suicide of the traditional story and probably printed in a "dime" book, songster or as a broadside between 1810-1820[9]. It begins "Young men and maidens lend attention" or similarly. This version is usually titled "Silver Dagger" and is found under that title in the collections of Belden, Sharp, Brown, Brewster and others. The title comes from the first line such as: "Young Men and Maidens," comes as a cautionary warning: "Parent's Warning," or is named after the two lovers "True Lovers" etc. The collected version of the composed ballad, first published in 1849 in New York[10] in "Spirit of the Times" as sung by "Sal Jenkins" has the complete eleven stanza form. An additional stanza concluding the ballad has been added in some versions. The one stanza fragment in Brown Collection (the B version) is a manuscript dated 1838 and is the earliest extant version.
The composed "Silver Dagger" is missing the "Awake, awake" opening and has been copied from the traditional versions at the 7th and 11th stanzas[11]. The unknown ballad author has even varied the borrowed stanza (see stanza 7 below) from the traditional ballad and used only half of stanza 11. The old theory proposed by Belden that every traditional version that mentions the "silver dagger" is part of this composed recreation is nonsense. This is obviously a ballad crafted on the double suicide which has been completely rewritten except for stanza 7 and half of 11. I give the earliest complete version in full, my italics show the text taken from tradition:
The Silver Dagger [print version from 1849; taken from Sal Jenkins in Indiana]
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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?
5. 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.
6. She wandered down by a flowing river,
And there for death she did prepare;
Saying, here I'll end my youthful mourning,
Or I am sunk in deep despair.
7 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.
8. 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.
9. 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?
10. 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.
11. Then up he picked the bloody weapon,
And pierced it through his own dear heart—
Saying, let this be a woeful warning
To all that does true lovers part.
[Printed in the N.Y. "Spirit of the Times" 1849]
Despite being printed twice in New York and once in Vermont in the article "Indiana Quilting Parties[12]", the "composed" ballad usually titled, Silver Dagger, never caught on in the Northeast US or Canada. The composed ballad has been found mainly in Appalachia, the mid-west (Indiana, Illinois) and states westward (Missouri, Arkansas).
The 7th stanza, is found similarly in the only traditional print version from 1890[13]:
So Katy drew that bloody dagger
And pierced it through her lily-white breast;
Saying, adieu to father, adieu to mother,
Adieu sweet Willie, with thee I rest. [Wehman's 1890]
compare to:
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. [Sal Jenkins; 1849 print version]
Both retain the rhyme of "breast/rest" in lines 2 and 4 but the 1849 version adds dagger/stagger in lines 1 and 3, a typical broadside writer's invention. Other stanzas of the composed ballad do not appear in the traditional ballads thus proving that the similar stanzas are from tradition. Upon further examination of Wehman's it may be difficult to attribute the "adieu to father" to a broadside writer when it may have come from tradition. Many of the traditional Northern versions use "shining dagger" which is not found in the Wehman version-- a possible clue of the source. Here are two traditional New York versions that can be compared to the composed stanza 7:
And then she plunged that bloody dagger
Unto her lily-white breast,
"Sing farewell, Father, Mother;
Now we are both at rest[14]." [Eleanor Franz of Dolgeville, NY before 1939]
Then Mary seized that blood-stained dagger
And pierced it through her lily-white breast.
Bid farewell to father and mother,
“Farewell, farewell, we're now at rest[15]." [George Edwards, Hasbrouck, NY pre1940s Cazden]
All use the breast/rest rhyme in 2 and 4. It's clear the "composed ballad, Silver Dagger" used this traditional verse for stanza 7 and half of stanza 11. Traditional versions of Drowsy Sleeper/Willie and Mary/Oh Katie Dear that have "silver dagger" and have stanza 7 are not related to the composed ballad except through stanza 7 which I've shown is a traditional stanza used by the composer.
To conclude that "the silver dagger" was taken from the composed ballad and became part of the traditional one makes no sense (although many collectors have assumed this) when other textual phrases, lines and stanzas never became part of the traditional versions. When the weapon appeared in traditional versions is unknown. It simply replaces the "letter" held by the father as found in traditional Scottish versions.
The source of the traditional versions found in North America is clearly the UK[16]. When not omitted[17], the opening stanza with "Awake, awake" as found in the British broadsides where the young man knocks at his lover's window, is found in North American versions. The four early stanzas printed by Ramsay[18] in 1725 (see main headnotes) are present in many North American versions. The stanzas asking permission to be married, introduced by Cunningham in 1834[19] and present in the Scottish and Irish versions are common to versions in north America. The author of the composed Silver Dagger did not include this- that is why it is a separate song based on the traditional versions-- which are sung in the North America with silver dagger or shining dagger. The composed Silver Dagger borrowed one stanza (with silver dagger) and the story from a traditional ballad.
As in the UK the ballad some North American version conclude with an ending stanza or stanzas from a different song in the "Dearest Dear/True Lover's Farewell" songs family which are derived from old love songs and British broadsides such as "The Unkind Parents, or, The Languishing Lamentation of two Loyal Lovers[20]."
* * * *
The first extant printed version of The Drowsy Sleeper family in North America was a single stanza entitled "Wake Up" included in the 1855 Social Harp, p. 155 as by John G. McCurry of Georgia, which is dated 1852:
Wake up, wake up, ye drowsy sleepers,
O wake, O wake for it's almost day!
How can you lie there and sleep and slumber,
When your true love is going away?
The first stanza, as similarly found in the British broadsides of 1817 to 1863, was well-known and mentioned other times during the 1800s[21]. A broadside titled, "Who's at My Bedroom Window?" was printed by H. J. Wehman, of 50 Chatham St., New York in 1890 (see above). The two lovers, named "Willie and Mary" in the Wehman broadside, were similarly named in a Canadian version found in a mining camp circa 1900. In 1907 three versions collected in Missouri and Arkansas were published by Belden in the German publication; Archiv für das Studium der neueren Sprachen und Literaturen and Kittredge published a version collected by Pettit from Kentucky in the JAF.
Two versions were collected in Maritime Canada[22] in the late 1920s. Both have "silver dagger" or "shining dagger" plus a floating stanza found in other US versions which has also been collected in Ireland[23]:
6 "O, I can climb the highest tree-top,
And I can rob the richest nest,
And I can court a fair young lady,
But not the one what I love best." [Sung by Mrs. Tom White, Jr., Sandy Cove, NL 1929.]
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Hybrid Versions
A number of early commercial versions made in the US during the 1920s have borrowed stanzas from another song family known as the East Virginia Blues/In Old Virginny song family[24]. Examples of these mixed ballads include "O! Molly Dear Go Ask Your Mother" by Kelly Harrell, recorded June 9, 1926 in New York City and "Oh Molly Dear" by B.F. Shelton recorded on July 29, 1927 in Bristol, Tennessee on Victor 4017.
A different mixed group of songs combining "Drowsy Sleeper" with the "Broken Token" songs and "Spanish Lady" songs has been collected as early as 1918[25]. These versions include:
1) "O Hatty Bell" sung by Mrs. Godfrey of Marion, NC on September 3, 1918 from Sharp MS.
2) "Kind Miss" sung by the Anderson family from American Songbag by Carl Sandburg; 1927.
3) "The False Lover" sung by Margaret Combs (KY) 1931 Henry
4) "Hattie Belle" MS from Greer Collection before 1932; hybrid version with "A Sweetheart in the Army."
5) "Vandy, Vandy" sung by Manly Wade Wellman (NC) circa 1946.
6) "Drowsy Sleeper" sung by Hedy West from Alabama in 1963 which uses the "Johnson Boys" instead of "Broken Token."
Joan Baez's well known version titled, "The Silver Dagger" uses only a not well-known opening variant of "Drowsy Sleeper." Two of the other three stanzas are floating stanzas from other songs like "The Little Sparrow." The last stanzas is derived from "Drowsy Sleeper" but rewritten. Her version was published as "Don't Sing Love Songs" in the Folksinger's Wordbook, p. 193 by Irwin Silber and Fred Silber in 1973 as if it were a traditional song. It's simply Joan's arrangement of traditional stanzas.
A hybrid version titled "The Gold Ring" was sung as a cante fable (story and song) in Andros Island, Bahamas. It was collected and published by Parsons in 1918. In 1928 Newman Ivey White reported a similar fragment from the African-American community in his American Negro Folk-Songs, p. 178):
Mary Bell, Go ask yo' mama,
If you an' I be bride alone;
If she say no, come back an' tell me
An' Mary Bell will run away.
In 1934 Lomax recorded a related Cajun version titled, "Dans mon Chamis Rencontre," in coastal Louisiana. Details of the Lomax version are upcoming.
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Summary
In North America, The Drowsy Sleeper is a traditional "night visit" ballad which takes place at his lover's window. She is instructed by her lover to ask permission for them to marry but fails to obtain permission from either her mother or her father. The father usually has a weapon (silver, or shining dagger) to "slay the one she loves" which prevents any possibility of marriage. Having no hope for love the young man either kills himself with the dagger or leaves heartbroken, never to return. The daughter, seeing him dead, frequently kills herself or, if he leaves, she tries in vain to have him return so she may runaway with him. Sometimes the North American versions have become mixed with other traditional songs. The ballad is often titled "Drowsy Sleeper" regardless of whether the opening "awake, arise you drowsy sleeper" stanza is present. A circa 1810 US composed ballad, usually titled "The Silver Dagger," was written based on the traditional song and the original has not yet been found. The writer of the "composed ballad" used only one and one-half stanzas of the traditional ballad as well as the double-suicide plot. Stanzas of the traditional UK ballads have been found in versions from North America including "Drowsy Sleeper (broadsides and resulting traditional British versions)," the 4 stanza Ramsay song (1725), the Cunningham variant, the Scottish "I Will Put My Ship" versions and lastly the Irish traditional versions known under the "Sweet Ban Water" title. None of the versions from the UK have a "silver dagger" or a murder weapon. The Scottish and Irish traditional versions from the UK are related to the "The Lover's Ghost" (Child 248) and have similar stanzas but the US versions do not have those "Lover's Ghost" stanzas. Commercial US versions and other traditional versions from North America that have left off the Drowsy Sleeper- "Awake, Awake" opening stanza(s) have nothing in common with the British broadsides which are composed ballads keeping mainly the traditional opening "Awake" stanza.
There are currently 191 versions in my collection. Two are arrangements ("Silver Dagger" Joan Baez, 1960/ "Little Satchel" Fred Cockerham 1963) of traditional stanzas and one is a broadside (see Wehman, top of page). Fifty-three are collected versions of the composed ballad. There are eleven hybrid (Drowsy Sleeper mixed with other traditional songs) ballads. The remaining 114 are collected versions of the traditional ballad.
Footnotes:
1. Reprinted 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 in the 1849 Gazette of the Union, Golden Rule and Odd-fellows' Family Companion, Volumes 10-11; published: New York, N.Y. by J. Winchester. This is the "composed version" as taken from Sal Jenkins of Indiana.
2. Mainer's 1969 recording differs enough from the 1938 Blue Sky Boys recording that it could be considered "traditional." It's likely that Mainer and/or other band members had heard "Katie Dear" by The Blue Sky Boys or Louvin Brothers. The ballad is traditional in North Carolina. The Louvin Brothers version differs less and should be considered a "cover song." It's included as one of the early influential recordings.
3. Some settlers in areas of the Appalachians, like Madison County where the ballad was collected by Cecil Sharp in 1916, brought ballads from Virginia into the mountains after the Revolutionary War. Madison County was settled by the Shelton family and heirs around 1800 and Watauga County about 1770s. Watauga County's Hicks/Harmon/Presnell families knew the ballad (Jane Hicks Gentry/ Uncle Monroe Presnell who was Council Harmon's grandson) as did some of the founding families in Madison County (Sands/ Wallin family).
4. Phillips Barry published the air from Massachusetts in 1912 (JAF).
5. The Maine Woods Songster by Phillips Barry - 1939.
6. Bulletin of the Folk-Song Society of the Northeast, Phillips Barry editor, published 1933-1937.
7. I have only one version from Folks Songs from Southern New Brunswick by Creighton, 1971 in my collection.
8. Some traditional versions are also named "Silver Dagger." The composed ballad is frequently "Silver Dagger." Newer traditional versions named Silver Dagger include the ones by Joan Baez and also Dolly Parton.
9. A variant of "the composed version" has been collected which was dated 1838. Another was published in 1849.
10. A reprint from the 1849 Gazette of the Union, Golden Rule and Odd-fellows' Family Companion, Volumes 10-11; published: New York, N.Y. by J. Winchester may be viewed online (google books).
11. This "copying" from the traditional version is an important distinction, as many collectors and commentators have (I believe incorrectly) maintained that the similar stanzas mentioning the silver dagger were taken from the composed version. Since no other stanzas were taken it seems certain that the borrowing was done by the writer of the composed ballad.
12. I only have proof that the Indiana Quilting Party was published three times; first in 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, 1849. It could and probably was published more times. The last record I have is in the Burlington Weekly Free Press of Burlington, Vermont dated Friday, January 18, 1850 on Page 2:
Tho following is the ballad from the Spirit of the Times:
"The Silver Dagger"
Young men and maidens pray lend attention,
To these few lines I am about to write;
It is as as true as ever was mentioned,
Concerning a fair beauty bright. [etc.]
13. See near top of this page-- "Who's at My Bedroom Window?" the broadside by H. J. Wehman, Song Publisher, 50 Chatham St., New York; 1890.
14. From Body, Boots And Britches; by Harold Thompson 1939.
15. Folk Songs of the Catskills by Norman Cazden, Herbert Haufrecht and Norman Studer. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1982.
16. Scarborough in "A Song Catcher," 1938 concluded that since the ballad was not in Child's "English and Scottish Popular Ballads" it must have originated in Ireland!!!! Traditional versions from Ireland were not found until 1939 when Sam Henry collected "Sweet Bann Water," a ballad borrowing stanzas from 'The Lover's Ghost' (Child 248).
17. Many of the commercial and traditional US versions skip the "Awake" stanza and begin "Oh, Katie dear. . ."
18. "Awake, thou fairest thing in nature," Song XCVII from Tea-table Miscellany: A Collection of Choice Songs, Scots & English; Volume 2 edited by Allan Ramsay c. 1725.
19. "Who is this under my window?" taken from Martha Crosbie, a carder and spinner of wool, by Alan Cunningham before 1834.
20. An example from North America is Lee Monroe Presnell's 7th stanza:
7. "I will go to some wide river,
Spend my days, my months and years;
Eat anything but the green growing willows,
Also drink from my flowing tears.
21. "Awake awake" was reported by George Dallas Mosgrove, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky c. 1864. "Wake Up" comes from the father of Mrs. Emma Kelly Davenport of Uvalde County, Texas and appears in her diary of 1870.
22. Canadian versions were reported by Mackenzie in 1928 (Nova Scotia) and Greenleaf in 1929 (Newfoundland).
23. "The Sweet Bann Water" was sung by Joe Holmes and Len Graham. It was recorded 1977 by Séamus MacMathúna. The first stanza can be heard online.
24. These songs include “In Old Virginny,” “Man of Constant Sorrow,” “East Virginia Blues,” “Dark Hollow,” and “Darling, Think of What You’ve Done.”
25. "O Hatty Bell" sung by Mrs. Godfrey of Marion, NC on September 3, 1918 was taken from Sharp's MSS.
R. Matteson 2016]
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CONTENTS: (To access individual versions click on the blue highlighted title below or on the title attached to the green highlighted page- this page- on the left hand column)
1) The Dying Lovers- Lizzie Weaver (NC) 1838 Brown B2-- Fragment from The Brown Collection Volume 2, 1952; music from Volume 4 is at the bottom of this page. This is a version of the "composed ballad," the missing original is dated c. 1810. It was taken from a manuscript owned by Miss Lizzie Lee Weaver of Piney Creek, Alleghany county, about 1915. The manuscript bears the notation "Written 1838."
2) The Silver Dagger- Sal Jenkins (IN-NY) 1849. Reprinted 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. From 1849 Gazette of the Union, Golden Rule and Odd-fellows' Family Companion, Volumes 10-11; published: New York, N.Y. by J. Winchester. This is the "composed version" taken from Sal Jenkins of Indiana.
3) Wake Up- (GA) 1852 Social Harp- McCurry-- Single stanza with music from 1855 The Social Harp, p. 155 by John G. McCurry of Georgia.
4) Young Men and Maidens- S. G. Yoke (WV) 1856 Cox C- A version of the "composed ballad" from John Harrington Cox's "Folk-Songs of the South" #108A; 1925. Communicated by Mr. W. H. S. White, Piedmont, Mineral County, January 21, 1916; obtained from Mr. S. G. Yoke, Morgantown, who says that it was a favorite among the young folks of Stone Coal Creek, Lewis County, more than sixty years previously.
5) Drowsy Sleeper- Mary Lou Miller (AR) c1864 Haun
Come Youth and Age- W. Larkin (IL) 1866 Musick
Love Will Find a Way- Foster (AR) 1869 Randolph C
Awake, Awake- James Ashby (MO) 1874 Belden C
Drowsy Sleepers- Mrs. Griffin (GA-FL) 1877 Morris
Drowsy Sleeper- B. Stutsman (MO) 1878 Randolph E
The Drowsy Sleeper- John Raese (WV) 1880 Cox A
Bedroom Window- Dan Tanner (ME-WS) c.1881
Who's at My Bedroom Window?- (NY) 1890 Wehman
Drowsy Sleeper- Mrs. McCord(MO) 1891 Randolph D
Who is Tapping?- Mrs. Miller (MI) 1895 Gardner A
Ah Mary Dear- Myrtle Stalker (MI) c.1899 Blount
Willie and Mary- A. S. White (ON) 1900 Gordon
Willie and Minnie- Kittie Rubey (CO) pre1901 Tyree
Open Your Door- Waters (MO) 1903 Belden A
Silver Dagger-Ethel Doxey (AR) 1904 Belden A1
Bedroom Window- Ethel Doxey (AR) 1903 Belden B
Oh Mary Dear- Mrs. Ollie Jacobs (KY-WS) 1906 REC
Wake Up, Wake Up- (KY) 1907 Pettit/Kittredge
Charlie and Bessie- Mrs. Greene (NC) 1907 Brown B
Green Fields and Meadows- (KY) 1907 Pettit JAF
Death of William & Nancy- Scott (MO) 1909 Belden G
Oh Mary Dear- P. Jacobs Borusky (KY-WS) 1909 REC
The Drowsy Sleeper- Jane Sargent (GA) 1910 Rawn
Drowsy Sleeper- Dell Westmoreland (GA) 1910 Rawn
Parents Warning- Ruby Vass (VA) 1912 MS Shellans
Old Song- Luther Crookshank (MO) 1912 Belden D1
Wake up- Ethel Edwards (GA) 1914 Rawn/Campbell MS
The Silver Dagger- Myrtle Badger (WY) 1914 Pound A
Awake, Awake- Myrtle Wright (MO) 1914 Belden H
The Silver Dagger- Luther Burwell (WV) 1915 Cox D
Willie and Mary- Mrs. Diehl (NE-UT) 1915 Pound D
The Drowsy Sleeper- Eva Case (MO) 1916 Belden D
Drowsy Sleeper- Mary Ann Bagley (KY) 1916 Wyman
Drowsy Sleepers- Edna Fulton (IN) 1916 Pound MS
The Silver Dagger- Eva Case (MO) 1916 JAF
Awake! Awake!- Mary Sands (NC) 1916 Sharp A
Awake! Awake!- Anelize Chandler (NC) 1916 Sharp B
Oh Katie Dear- Carrie Ford (NC) 1916 Sharp C
Bloody Warning- Jane Gentry (NC) 1916 Sharp MS
An Awful Warning- Clayton (NC) 1916 Brown A1
The Silver Dagger- Miss Roberts (WV) 1917 Cox B
Awake! Awake!- Mrs. Wilson (KY) 1917 Sharp H
Wake Up, Wake Up- F. Droghon (KY) 1917 Sharp I
Awake, Awake!- Eliza Pace (KY) 1917 Sharp MS
Awake Awake- Kate Thomas (KY) 1917 Sharp MS
Wake up- Mollie Broghton (KY) 1917 Sharp MS
Silver Weapon- Margaret Dunagan (KY) 1917 Sharp
Arise, Arise- Alex Coffey (VA) 1918 Sharp D
Arise, Arise- N. Fitzgerald (VA) 1918 Sharp E
Wake Up, Wake Up- Rhoda Grey (VA) 1918 Sharp F
O Wake, O Wake- Mrs. L. Grey (VA) 1918 Sharp G
Awake! Awake!- Frances Richards (VA) 1918 Sharp J
The Gold Ring- Lucy Rolle (BAH) 1918 Parsons
Awake, Awake- Laura Donald (VA) 1918 Sharp MS
Silver Dagger- Reba Dooley (VA) 1918 Sharp MS
Silver Dagger- F. Fitzgerald (VA) 1918 Sharp MS
Draw Nigh Young Men- Allen (VA) 1918 Sharp
O Hatty Bell- Mrs. Godfrey (NC) 1918 Sharp MS
The Shining Dagger- James Atwood (VT) 1919 Sturgis
The Silver Dagger- Mary Lindsay (NE) 1920 Pound B
Drowsy Sleeper- Cruickshank (KS) 1920 Belden E
Awake, Arise- (NC) c.1920 Sutton/ Brown A
Come Now, My Friends- Mace (OH) 1922 Eddy A1
Bloody Weapon- Leone Duvall (MO) 1923 Randolph
Untrue Lover- Leone Duvall (MO) 1923 Randolph B
Silver Dagger- Annis Cottongim (KY) c1924 Roberts
Wake Up- Henry Cooper (NC) 1924 Chappell A
Bed Window- C. Hooker (NC) 1924 Chappell B
Silver Dagger- Mrs. Easley (MS) 1926 Hudson A
Bloody Weapon- Mrs. Hellums (MS) 1926 Hudson B
Silver Dagger- Mrs. Williams (MS) 1926 Hudson C
Oh, Molly Dear- Kelly Harrell (VA) 1926 REC
Annie Girl- Mrs. G. V. Easley (MS) 1926 Hudson
Kind Miss- Ann Anderson (KY) 1927 Sandburg
Oh, Molly Dear- B.F. Shelton (KY) 1927 REC
Silver Dagger- Mrs. Mosier (MO) 1927 Randolph
Drowsy Sleeper- Ollie Murray (MO) 1927 Randolph A
Silver Dagger- Mrs. Anderson (MO) 1927 Randolph
Silver Dagger- E. Davidson (MO) 1927 Randolph
Bedroom Window- Greta Brown (NS) 1928 Mackenzie
Molly- Zula Calico (AR) c.1928 Parler D
Silver Dagger- Mrs. Jones (MO) 1928 Randolph
Sleepy Desert- Wilmer Watts (NC) 1929 REC
Drowsy Sleeper- Mrs. T. White (NL) 1929 Greenleaf
Wake up, You Drowsy Sleeper- Oaks Fam. (KY) 1930
Drowsy Sleeper- Mrs. C. L. Franklin(NC) 1930 Henry
Bedroom Window- McDowell (MO) 1930 Randolph F
The Young Lovers- (AR) 1931 Allsopp
The False Lover- Margaret Combs (KY) 1931 Henry
Katie Dear- Grace McCurry (NC) 1931 Scarborough A
Molly Dear- Harwood (NC) 1931 Scarborough B
Drowsy Sleepers- Shiflett (VA) 1931 Scarborough C
Little Willie- Etta Harwood(NC) 1931 Scarborough D
Young Men and Maids- (KY) 1931 Jean Thomas
Come All Ye Fair- Lizzie Dills (KY) 1931 Fuson
The Silver Dagger- (NC) pre1932 Greer MS
Hattie Belle- (NC) pre1932 Greer Collection
The Silver Dagger- (NC) pre1932 Greer MS- 2
Young Men & Maids- Lizzie Fletcher(TN) 1933 Carter
Katie Dear- Callahan Brothers (NC) 1934 REC
Mollie- Mrs. Oda Dealing (IN) 1935 Bewster A
Serenade- Mrs. Jennie L. Wade (IN) 1935 Brewster B
O, Mary- Mrs. A. J. Hopkins (IN) 1935 Brewster C
The Silver Dagger- Dora McAtee (IN) 1935 Brewster
The Silver Dagger- Hopkins (IN) 1935 Brewster B1
Willie and Mary- Mrs. Muchler (MI) 1935 Gardner B
Willie and Mary- Mrs. Mercer (MI) 1935 Gardner C
Young Man and Maid- Lunsford (NC) 1935 REC
The Silver Dagger- Emma Dusenbury (AR) 1936 REC
The Silver Dagger- Frances Barbour (MO) 1936 JAF
Mary Dear- Frank Corban (MS) 1936 Hudson
Wake Up Ye Drowsy Sleeper- Walters (KY) 1937 REC
Who's That Knocking? Carter Family (VA) 1938 REC
Katie Dear- Blue Sky Boys (NC) 1938 REC
Oh, You Drowsy Sleeper- York (NC) 1939 Brown D
O Drowsy Sleeper- Kuykendall (NC) 1939 Brown E
Silver Dagger- Mrs. York (NC) c.1939 Brown D1
Drowsy Sleeper- E. Franz (NY) 1939 Thompson
Silver Dagger- Tuthill MS (MI) pre1939 Gardner
My Night's Window- B. Wynkoop (OH) 1939 Eddy A
Bedroom Window- Christman (MO-OH) 1939 Eddy B
Go Away From My Window- Maurer(OH) 1939 Eddy C
Maggie and Willie- Mrs. Bair (OH) 1939 Eddy D
True Lover- Mrs. Ports (OH) 1939 Eddy B2
Drowsy Sleeper- Mrs. Duncan (MO) 1940 Belden F
Awake, Awake- George Edwards (NY) c1940 Cazden
Wake, O Wake- R. Jones (NC) 1940 Warners REC
Awake, Awake- Marvin Yale (NY) c1940 Cazden
Young William- Sula Hudson (MO) 1941 Randolph
Wake Up, Wake Up- McInturff (AR) 1942 Garrison
An Ardent Lover- (NC) pre1943 Abrams/ Brown C
Awake, Arise, You Drowsy Sleeper- (PA) 1945 Bayard
Lover's Warning- Mrs. Timmons (NC) 1945 Abrams
Katie Dear- Myrtle Love Hester (AL) 1945 Arnold
Awake, Arise, You Drowsy Sleeper- Coffee (IL) 1946
Vandy, Vandy- Manly Wade Wellman (NC) c.1946
True Lovers Part- Mrs. Estes (AL) 1947 Arnold
Awake! Awake!- McDowell (TN) 1947 McDowell
Awake, O Awake- Lunsford (NC) c.1947 Jones
Silver Dagger- Tiny Gaunt (VA) 1948 Leach A
The Two Lovers- Myrtle Carrigan (TN) 1949 Boswell
The Silver Dagger- John Rogers (UT) 1949 Hubbard
The Lover's Farewell- McClellan (FL) 1950 Morris
Drowsy Sleeper- Frank Knox (NL) 1951 Leach B
The Silver Dagger- Fred High (AR) 1951 Carlisle
Bed Window- John Pennington (AR) 1952 Parler E
Who Is At My Window Weeping?- Heaney (NL) 1952
Awake, You Drowsy Sleeper- Ritchie (KY) 1953 REC
Drowsy Sleeper- Mrs. T.M. Davis (AR) 1953 Parler C
Come All Good People- William Ireland (NB) c. 1954
Drowsy Sleeper- Mrs. Glasscock (WV) 1955 Musick
Katie Dear- Louvin Brothers (AL) 1956 REC
Lost Henry- Allie Long Parker (AR) 1958 Hunter A
Drowsy Sleeper- Oleavia Houser (AR) 1958 Parler B
Drowsy Sleeper- Wise Jones (AR) 1958 Hunter B
O, Molly Dear- Mildred Webb (KY) 1959 Roberts
Sweet William- Mrs. Ripley (MO) 1959 Hunter A1
Awake, Awake- Lee Monroe Presnell (NC) 1960 REC
Silver Dagger- Joan Baez (NY) 1960 REC
Bedroom Window- Mrs. Felts (AR) 1961 Wolf
Drowsy Sleeper- Mrs. Elam (AR) 1962 Parler A
Awake, Awake- Dillard Chandler (NC) 1963 REC
Drowsy Sleeper- Hedy West (AL) 1963 REC
Wake Up- Alice Wharton (OK) pre1964 Moores
Never Make True Lovers Part- Garland (KY) 1964 REC
Little Satchel- Fred Cockerham (NC) 1965 Cohen
Peggy Dear- Ruby Vass (VA) c1965 IMSB
Awake, Awake- Hattie Presnell (NC) 1966 Burton
Bedroom Window- Anderson (MB) 1966 Fowke
The Drowsy Sleeper- Mary Lomax (GA) pre1968 REC
Young Men and Maids- Paul Joines (NC) 1968 REC
Silver Dagger- Ollie Gilbert (AR) 1969 Hunter B1
Bedroom Window- Eva Esdorn (SC) 1969 Joyner
Drowsy Sleeper- Ollie Gilbert (AR) 1969 Hunter C
Katy Dear- Gene York (KY) 1969 Harrod REC
Katie Dear- J.E. Mainer (NC) 1969 REC
Silver Dagger- Ray Sanders (AR) 1970 Hunter C1
Drowsy Sleepers- Rita Emerson (WV) 1970 Bush
Who's That Knocking? Ruby Bush (WV) 1970 Bush
Silver Dagger- Lulabelle Greene (KY) 1973 REC
Silver Dagger- Phoebe Parson (WV) 1973 Bush
Drowsy Sleeper- Evelyn Ramsey (NC) 1979 REC
Truelover's Warning- E. Ramsey (NC) 1980 Yates A
Youthful Warning- Doug Wallin (NC) 1983 Yates B
-------------------------------------------------
Track 09 : Silver Dagger (Drowsy Sleeper) - voice performance by Mary Mancour at Bellows Falls (Vt.). Classification #: LAM04. Dated 10-17-1942.
Tis almost day how can you sleep your life away
Oh Mary dear, go ask your mother
https://archive.org/details/HHFBC_tapes_D34A
_____________________________________________
Supplemental Study: A Comparison of Traditional Texts of The Drowsy Sleeper in North America
by Richard Matteson 2016
There are two basic traditional ballad types (this does not include the hybrid ballads):
Type 1: Ballads where there are one or two suicides (usually double suicide) with a silver (shining or in 4 instances golden) dagger, or simply a weapon (pronounced "weepon" in the hills).
Type 2: Ballads where there are no suicides with a silver dagger, that have ending stanzas parallel to the Scotch "I Will Put My Ship in Order" versions. These include a rare US variant where the suicide is by an arrow or in many cases the "wish" of suicide by arrow. Jean Ritchie sings "yarrow" instead of "arrow."
In Type 2 ballads the father usually has a silver dagger (or weapon) while the mother sometimes has a letter. This letter in the Scotch versions (I Will Set My Ship in Order) is held by the father and is written to the young man's "dispraise" or "disgrace."
This is followed in the Scotch version by the young man replying, "To my dispraise?" and stating that he has done nothing to warrant such a claim. In North America the response is lacking and therefore the purpose of letter held by the mother is not understood by singers. This version from Arkansas is nearly identical to the Scotch versions:
And in her hand she holds a letter
That speaks so much of your disgrace. [Pennington, 1952 Parler E]
In the Scotch versions after young man defends the accusation of the letter, he leaves boards his ship. She puts on her clothes and looks for him but he has gone. She calls "Come back" but he has gone and he won't return until "Fishes fly and the seas run dry." This Scotch ending is not understood though phrases and lines have managed to remain intact. Usually the "dispraise" in the letter has become "distress." When she pleads "Come back" and only in a handful of versions has the lover returning. Usually he leaves after "father has the silver dagger" stanza, realizing his love is in vain. The following stanza from Georgia is typical:
I will go straight to the wild goose country,
And there I will spend my months and days,
And all I'll eat will be of sorrow
And all I drink will be of tears. [Rawn, 1910]
Another similar but typical stanza has "willow":
'I'll build my house on some distant river
And there I'll spend my days and years.
And I'll eat nothing but green willow
And drink nothing but my tears.'
Since "green willow" is not usually edible this is possibly a corruption.
There will also be a study of unique or rare stanzas.
Type 1 Ballads:
First, there is a general misconception that traditional ballads that mention the "silver dagger" have taken the silver dagger stanzas from a "composed ballad" by an unknown author about 1810, which is usually titled, "Silver Dagger." Clearly the author of the composed "Silver Dagger" borrowed the double suicide theme and a stanza from the traditional ballad. See: US & Canada Headnotes for details.
In both Type 1 and Type 2 ballads the parents (on sometimes one parent- which makes no difference) are asked separately by the daughter if they will give permission for the lovers to be married. However, the response is different-- in many Type 2 ballads the mother has a letter-- in this case the letter is a corruption that tells the daughter she should not marry this lover.
'It's of no use to ask my mother,
For I'm the only girl she's got.
In her right hand she holds a letter
To show me the man I should love best.' [Belden G 1909]
This is a very rare Type 1 version with the letter.
Type 2 Ballads
There are two basic Type 2 ballads:
1) In Type 2a the lovers do not commit suicide- after learning that the father has a silver dagger or weapon to slay the one that his daughter loves best, the lover decides to leave and goes to a "lonesome valley" or some remote location where he eats of nothing but sorrow and drinks only briny tears. The daughter pleads "Come back" and offers to run away. In several cases they reunite and "From South Carolina to Pennsylvania/My weeks and years with you I'll spend." Usually, like the Scotch versions it's too late and he won't come back.-- or, the ballad simple ends with them separated.
2) In Type 2b the male lover had left and gone to a remote location where he either kills himself with an arrow or wishes he had killed himself with an arrow. Sometimes other stanzas from Type 2a are present.
In both Type 2 and Type 1 ballads the parents (on sometimes one parent- which makes no difference) are asked separately by the daughter if they will give permission for the lovers to be married. When one parent, usually the mother, has a letter (of distrust) which in Scotland is "to your dispraise" this is a type 2 ballad.
4. "I will not go and ask my mother,
She is lying on her bed of rest,
And in each hand she holds a letter
To ruin the one that I love best."
7. Come back, come back, true-hearted lover,
Come back and run away with me,
I will forsake both father and mother,
And it's all for the sake of thee. [Randolph E: Mrs. Bessie Stutsman, Strafford, Mo., Apr. 8, 1938. Mrs. Stutsman had it from her father, who sang it in 1878.]
-----------------------------
"My mother's up in the upper chamber,
A-taking of her natural rest;
In her right hand she holds a letter
To read to girls that's in distress."
"I'll go away to some silent meadows,
And there I'll spend my days and years;
My eats shall be with the griefs and sorrow,
My drinks shall be of the briny tear." [Mrs. G. A. Griffin, Georgia before 1877]
-------------------------------
Composite Nathan Hicks
http://dla.acaweb.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/LeesMcRae/id/17/rec/10
-----------------------------------
Oh no I can't ask my mother,
For she's in her bed of rest.
And in her hand she holds a letter,
That has caused the most, of my distress.[Jacobs, Wisconsin, 1906]
--------------------------------
Go fetch to me yonders pen and paper
That I may sit down and write a while
I will tell you of the grief and sorrow
That troubles me both day and night.
I wish I was a little swallow
Or else some lonesome turtle dove
I would fly away over hills of sorrow
And light on some land of love.
In yonders field go stick an arrow
I wish the same was in my heart
Then I would bid adieu to sin and sorrow
Then my poor soul would be at rest.
Go dig my grave in yonders meadow
Place marble stones at head and feet
And on my breast a turtle dove
To testify I died for love. [ James Ashby (MO) 1874 Belden C]
-----------------
I'll go, I'll go to some lonely valley
There I'll spend my weeks and years
I'll eat nothing but the willows
I'll drank nothin' but my tears.
Come back, come back, my own true lover
Come back, come back once more to me
I'll forsake my father and mother
And go along and walk with thee. [Belden B, 1903]
-------------------------------
7. "I'll set my boat for some distant river,
And I will sail from side to side;
I'll eat nothing but weeping willows
And I'll drink nothing but my tears."
8. "Come back, come back, 0 distracted lover!
Come back, come back," said she;
"I'll forsake my father and mother
And I will run away with thee."
9. "O Mary, loving Mary, you've almost broke my heart;
You caused me to shed many a tear;
From South Carolina to Pennsylvania
My weeks and years with you I'll spend. [Wyman 1916; JAF 1917]
--------------------
7. "O, Mary, Mary, loving Mary,
My heart is almost broke for you;
From North Carolina to Pennsylvania
I'll spend my hours and days with you.
8. "I'll move my boat to some other river,
And by its waters I'll sit down;
I'll eat nothing but green willow,
I'll drink nothing but my tears."
9. "Come back, come back, you distracted lover,
Come back, .....
And I'll forsake, I'll forsake father and mother,
Forsake them all and go with you." [Katherine Pettit of Hindman, Knott County 1907]
----------------------------
5. "I won't go away and court any other,
For here I do no harm;
I only want you from your own dear mother,
To wrap you in your lover's arms.
6. "I wish I was down in some lonesome valley,
Where I could neither see nor hear:
My food it should be grief and sorrow,
My drink it would be the briny tear.
7. "Down in a valley there lies a sharp arrow:
I wish I had it across my breast;
It would cut off all grief and sorrow
And lay this troubled heart to rest." [MS book from Indiana; pound 1916]
--------------------
7. I will go straight to the wild goose country,
And there I will spend my months and days,
And all I'll eat will be of sorrow
And all I drink will be of tears. [last stanza Rawn, Georgia, 1910]
-------------------
'Go fetch to me both pen and paper
That I may set me down and write;
I'll tell you of the grief and sorrow
That trouble me both day and night.
'I wish I were a little swallow,
Or else some lonesome turtle dove;
I'd fly away over hills of sorrow
And light upon some land of love.'
'In yonder field go stick an arrow;
I wish the same was in my breast.
I'd bid adieu to sin and sorrow,
And my poor soul would be at rest.
'Go dig my grave in yonder meadow,
Place marble stones at my head and feet,
And on my breast a turtle dove
To show the world that I died for love.' [Eva Case, Belden D, 1916]
--------------------------
6. I'll go down in some lone valley,
And spend my weeks, my months, my many years,
And I'll eat nothing but green willow,
And I'll drink nothing but my tears.
7. Then come back, come back, my own true lover,
Come back, come back in grief cried she,
And I'll forsake both father and mother,
And I'll cry, love, and pity thee. [Sharp A, 1916, Mary Sands NC]
----------------------
6 I'll not go in and ask my mother,
For she's on her bed at rest a-sleeping,
For in her hand she holds a card[1], love,
That'll be bad news to thee.
7 It's rise you up, love, come and pity me,
For I'm going away to some sandy river bottom,
And while I spend my days, my weeks, my months and years,
I'll eat nothing but green willow and drink nothing but my tears.
8 Come back, come back, my love, and let me tell you.
If you will go with me,
I will forsake both father and mother
And go along with you and spend my life for ever. [Sharp B; Chandler, 1916 NC]
1. represents a "letter"
--------------------------
5 I won't go court, go court some other,
For what I say I mean no harm;
I want to win[1] you from your mother,
And rest you in a true love's arms.
6 O down in yon valley there grows a green willow,
I wish it was across my breast;
It might cut off all grief and sorrow
And set my troubled mind at rest. [last stanzas of Sharp E, Fitzgerald, 1918, usually "arrow" see same in Ritchie]
1. wean (see Ramsay, Tea Table Miss., 1725)
-----------------
5 The sea's so wide I cannot wade it,
Nor neither have I wings to fly ;
I wish I had feet like a sparrow
And wings like a little dove,
I'd fly away off from the hills of sorrow
And light on some low lands of love.
6 Hand me down pen, ink, and paper,
And set me down here for to write;
I'll write a grief[1] which is siley under (sic)
That troubles me both day and night.
7 There sticks an arrow in yons wa';
I wish the same was in my breast;
I'd bid adieu to sin and sorrow,
While my poor soul would be at rest. [Sharp F, Virginia 1918]
1. letter of the grief and sorrow [see Belden D]
-----------------------
5 I wish I was on yonders mountain,
There to spend both months and years;
My food should be all grief and sorrow,
My drink shall be of troubles tears.
6 If I had feet like a sparrow,
If I had wings like a lonesome dove,
I'd fly away over the hills of sorrow,
I'd lie and rest in some low lands of love. [Sharp G, Virginia, 1918]
---------------
3. 'Ah, Mary, dear Mary, you know I love you!
You've nearly caused my heart to break.
From North Carolina to Pennsylvany
I'd cross the wide ocean for your sake[1].
4. 'I'll build my house on some distant river
And there I'll spend my days and years.
And I'll eat nothing but green willow
And drink nothing but my tears.' [Brown A, 1920]
1. See Wyman (KY 1916) for a complete version
-----------------------
6. "I'll go way down in the green weeping willows;
There I will stay for months and years ;
I'll eat nothing but the green weeping willows;
I'll drink nothing else but tears."
7. "Come back, come back, my own true lover;
Come back, and I your bride will be;
I'll forsake both Father and Mother
Just for the love I have for thee." [Brewster A, 1935]
----------------
7. "O Mollie, Mollie, dearest Mollie,
You've caused my tender heart to break;
From North Carolina to Pennsylvania
I've crossed the ocean for your sake.
8. "I'll go down by some distant river
And there I'll spend my days and years,
And I'll eat nothing but the wilier,[willow]
And I'll drink nothing but my tears."
9. "Come back, come back, my wounded lover;
Come back, come back, come back," cried she;
"And I'll forsake my father and mother,
And go along, along with thee." [Brewster B, 1935 one of several versions (See Wyman 1916) traveling stanza (7). In this case 7 should follow 9.]
------------------------
6. I'll not won't go 'way, nor court no other,
For what I say I mean no harm;
I've come to win[2] you from your mother,
And rest you in a true love's arms.
7. Oh, bring to me a chair and paper
And a pen to write a while[?]
I'm going to leave my own true lover
I'm going to leave her [a] thousand miles
8. “Come back, come back, you distracted lover,
Come back, come back to me,
And I’ll forsake both father and, mother,
I'll leave them all and go with thee.” [Lomax 1937 REC Clay Walters of Saylersville, Kentucky ]
---------------------
"Come go with me, you will stop my pining
Sit you down by the side of me
And lay your loving arms around me
And say you’ll love no one but me."
"I’ll go with you to some lonesome valley
I’ll spend the rest of my days with you
Although my meat may be pretty berries
And the water that I drink be the morning dew."
"Pretty flowers were made to bloom, love,
Pretty stars were made to shine
And pretty girls were made for boys, love,
And maybe you were made to be mine."[Jones, NC Warner 1940]
-----------------
I wish I was in some lonely valley,
Where no one could ever hear-
My food would be of grief and sorrow,
My drink would be the briny tear.
Down in yon valley there grows a green yarrow[1],
I wish that yarrow[1] was shot through my breast--
It would end my grief, it would end my sorrow,
And set my troubled mind at rest. [Ritchie 1953, see Sharp]
1. arrow; usually it would be "lies a green arrow"I wish I was in some lonely valley,
---------------------
4. "Oh, Molly, Molly, melancholy,
You caused my poor, stern heart to break,
For it's you I love and I love no other;
I've crossed the sea just for your sake."
5. If it's me you love, and you will forever,
And crossed the sea just for my sake,
It's I'll forsake both father and mother,
And go with you and forever stay.[Musick 1955]
-----------------------
7 "I will go to some wide river,
Spend my days, my months and years;
Eat anything but the green growing willows,
Also drink from my flowing tears.
8 "Come back, come back, my old true lover
And stay a little while with me.
I will forsake my dear old mother
And go along by the side of thee." [Presnell REC, 1960]
--------------------------
I'll go all down on yander's river
I'll spend my weeks, my months, my days,
It's I'll eat nothing but green willow
Nor I'll drink nothing but my tears.
Come back, come back my own true lover
Come back, come back in grief cried she,
I will forsake both father and mother
I'll cry so loud and pity thee. [Chandler 1963 REC]
------------------
"Oh, Father, Father, tell your reason.
Oh, Mother, Mother, pity me.
If I can't have my own heart's choice,
What will this whole world be to me?"
Away down yonder in some lone valley,
Where I shall go and spend my days,
My eat shall be of grief and sorrow;
My drink shall be a vial of tears."
"Yes, I'll forsake my father's dwelling;
I'll forsake my mother, too.
Come back, come back, my own true lover,
And I will go away with you."[Moores, OK 1964]
---------------------
I will not go and court another,
Because my love for you is true.
I never grieved or yet deceived you,
And now my heart is broke for you.
I'm going away to the wild goose country
I'll stay months or I'll stay for years
And all I'll eat will be of sorrow
And all I'll drink will be of tears. [Mary Lomax, REC 1968]
----------------------
I wish I were in some lonely valley
Where I could neither see nor hear
My food it would be of grief and of sorrow
My drink would be of the briny tears.
For down in yon meadow there is a sharp arrow
I wish it were through my breast,
It'd drive away all grief and all sorrow
And take my troubles home to rest.[Emerson, 1970 WV]
--------------------
Unique stanzas:
Type 1:
Her face was pale; her eyes were blue,
And black as ravenswing her hair,
The smell of flowers in her bosom:
Men wept to see a maid so fair. [Mary Lou Miller of Dardanelle, Arkansas in 1932, learned before 1864. Daughter only kills herself. see "East Virginia" ]
-------------------
Go fetch to me a pen and paper
That I may sit me down and write,
I'll tell you of this grief and sorrow
That troubles me both day and night. [Randolph D, McCord]
-------------------------------
"I can climb the highest tree, love,
I can rob the richest nest,
I can court the gayest lady,
But not the one that I love best!" [Gardner B, Michigan, 1899]
-------------------------------
"Oh, I can climb the tallest tree, love;
I can rob the prettiest nest.
I can court the fairest maiden,
But not the one that I love best."[Colorado Folksong Bulletin, 1901]
--------------------
'Oh, I could climb the tallest tree-top,
Or I could rob the richest nest,
Or I could court the fairest lady,
But not the one that I love best.' [Belden H, 1914]
---------------------
9."Oh I can climb the tallest tree, love.
And I can reach the highest nest,
And I can pluck the sweetest rose, love,
But not the heart that I love best." [Sturgis, Atwood Vermont, 1919]
-----------------
6 "I can climb the highest mountains,
I can rob the eagle's nest,
I can go and court some other,
But you're the one that I love best." [Mackenzie NS, 1928]
--------
6 "O, I can climb the highest tree-top,
And I can rob the richest nest,
And I can court a fair young lady,
But not the one what I love best." [Greenleaf, 1929 NS]
-------------------
5 "I could ramble this whole world over,
I could ramble from shore to shore,
Oh, I could court some prettier damsel,
But not the girl that I love best." [Hudson 1936]
------------------
"O I can climb the highest tree, love,
Or I can rob the richest nest,
Or I can court the fairest maiden
But not the one that I love best." [Thompson, NY 1939]
-------------------
8. “Oh, I can climb the tallest tree, love,
I can rob the richest nest.
I can court the fairest flower.
But not the girl that I love best!” [Edwards, NY c. 1940 Cazden]
------------------
3. “Oh, I can climb some tallest tree, love,
I can rob the richest rogue,
I can court some pretty fair damsel,
But not the one my heart loves best! [Marvin Yale, NY 1940 Cazden]
----------------
Oh I wish I were some little swallow,
Or some lonesome turtle dove.
I'd fly o'er hill and lonesome hollow,
And light on some low banks of love."[Lundsford 1947]
----------------
“I could climb the highest tree, love,
I could rob the dearest nest.
I could court another maiden,
But not the one that I love best.”[Wolf 1961]
------------------
I can court some other fair girl
I can climb the tallest trees,
But Mary dear there's none I love
There's none I love as well as thee.[Joyner SC 1969]
Unique stanzas Type 2:
'I wish I were a little swallow,
Or else some lonesome turtle dove;
I'd fly away over hills of sorrow
And light upon some land of love.' ["Little Sparrow" Eva Case 1916 Beden D]
--------------------
Don't you see the clouds a-gathering?
They gather thick and thunder loud.
I live in hopes I'll see some pleasure
Before these clouds overthrow.
Over the hills and down the valley
O William Reilly he did roam,
Over the hills and down the valley
Poor William Reilly dead was found.[Chappell B, 1924]
---------------------
I will not go and ask my mother
For she is on her bed at rest,
And in her hands she holds a paper
To prove the man that I love best.
Oh Molly, Molly melancholy[1],
You have caused my heart to break,
For in your heart you love another
And in my grave I'd rather be. [Parler D, 1928
1. See Robert's version from In the Pines.
----------------
I wish I was some little sparrow
I'd circle like a turtle dove
I'd fly away to a lonely valley
And settle down in the land of love. [Carter Family 1938]
------------------
'I wish I was a little sparrow.
One of them that could fly so high.
I'd fly and sit on my true love's dwelling,
And when she talked I'd be close by.
--------------------
'Neither am I a little sparrow
And neither do I have wings to fly ;
So I'll sit down and weep in sorrow,
I'll sing and pass my troubles by.' [Mrs. York, Brown D, 1939]
---------------------
"Come go with me, you will stop my pining
Sit you down by the side of me
And lay your loving arms around me
And say you’ll love no one but me."
"I’ll go with you to some lonesome valley
I’ll spend the rest of my days with you
Although my meat may be pretty berries
And the water that I drink be the morning dew."
"Pretty flowers were made to bloom, love,
Pretty stars were made to shine
And pretty girls were made for boys, love,
And maybe you were made to be mine."[Jones NC, Warner 1940]
------------------
Verse 6.
“Oh Mary dear, oh dearest Mary,
It is for you my heart will break.
From North to South to Pennsylvania,
I’ll roam the ocean for your sake.”
Verse 7.
“And now I’ll go down by some silent river,
And there I’ll spend my days and years,
And there I’ll plant a weeping willow;
Beneath its shade I’ll shed my tears.”
Verse 8.
“Come back, come back, my wounded lover,
Come back, come back to me, I pray,
And I’ll forsake both father, mother,
And with you I’ll run away.” [Coffee IL, 1946]
---------------
Oh Molly, Molly, melancholy,
You've caused my tender heart to break.
Though I swam the last end of old Kentucky (sic)
I'll cross the ocean for your sake.
Now must I leave both father and mother,
And go along with you instead,
And nevermore be with no other
Nor nevermore amongst the gay? [Parler E 1952]
----------------------
4. "Oh, Molly, Molly, melancholy,
You caused my poor, stern heart to break,
For it's you I love and I love no other;
I've crossed the sea just for your sake."
5. If it's me you love, and you will forever,
And crossed the sea just for my sake,
It's I'll forsake both father and mother,
And go with you and forever stay. [Compare above Musick 1955]
---------------------
Oh Edward, dear, go and court some other,
And whisper sweet things in her ear,
Oh, no, I’ll not go court some other,
For you’re the one that I hold dear.
'Tis I can climb the highest tree top,
'Tis I could rob the rich’s nest,
'Tis I could wed the fairest lady,
But not the one that I love best. [Parler B, 1958]
-------------
I will not go and court another,
Because my love for you is true.
I never grieved or yet deceived you,[1]
And now my heart is broke for you.
I'm going away to the wild goose country[2]
I'll stay months or I'll stay for years
And all I'll eat will be of sorrow
And all I'll drink will be of tears.
1. This line is rare and compares to the Scotch "I Will Put my Ship" lines which are a defense against accusations "to his dispraise" in a letter (instead of a dagger) held by the father.
2. Also rare- found in Alabama
-------------------
VERSE 3
I won't go 'way an' court no other
You're the only girl I love
VERSE 4
If I were a little sparrow
An' I had wings I'd fly so high
My false true lover I would follow
An' in 'er talk I'd be close by
VERSE 5
O yes, I see you ain't no sparrow
An' you not got wing to fly so high
You're [a] false true lover you cain't follow
An' in her talk, you won't be close by.[Gilbert 1969 Hunter C]
-------------------------
Holding a Letter and Pen writing stanzas:
Type 1:
'It's of no use to ask my mother,
For I'm the only girl she's got.
In her right hand she holds a letter
To show me the man I should love best.' [Belden G 1909]
Type 2:
'Go fetch to me both pen and paper
That I may set me down and write;
I'll tell you of the grief and sorrow
That trouble me both day and night. [Eva Case 1916 Belden D]
-------------------------------------
6 I'll not go in and ask my mother,
For she's on her bed at rest a-sleeping,
For in her hand she holds a card[1], love,
That'll be bad news to thee. [Sharp B; 1916, Chandler, NC]
1. represents a "letter"
--------------------------
No, I can't ask my mother,
She is on her bed at rest;
And in her hand she holds a letter
From the one that I love best.[last stanza Chappell A, 1924]
------------------
I shan't go nor ask my mother,
She is lying on her bed at rest,
And on her breast there is a letter
From the young man that I love best. [Chappell B, 1924]
-----------------------
I will not go and ask my mother
For she is on her bed at rest,
And in her hands she holds a paper
To prove the man that I love best.
Oh Molly, Molly melancholy[1],
You have caused my heart to break,
For in your heart you love another
And in my grave I'd rather be. [Parler D, 1928]
1. See Robert's version from In the Pines.
--------------------
7. Oh, bring to me a chair and paper
And a pen to write a while[?]
I'm going to leave my own true lover
I'm going to leave her [a] thousand miles. [Walters, Lomax recording 1937]
-------------------
the mother (who is mentioned first) holds in her hands "a letter To read to her children in distress"
[Brown D, Mrs. York 1939]
--------------------
and that her mother "holds a letter From that young man that I love best. [Brown C, 1940]
-------------------------
I cannot go and ask my mother,
She's lying on her bed of rest,
And in her hand she holds a letter
That speaks so much of your disgrace. [Pennington, 1952 Parler E]
---------------------
5. "I dare not ask my mother, Willie,
For she lies on her bed of rest,
And in her hand she has a letter
That often speaks of your request [dispraise]." [Roberts 1959]
Suicide, or, the wish of suicide by arrow:
All Type 2 versions
5 "Down in yon meadow there lies a sharp arrow;
I'll draw it across my peaceful breast;
It will cut off all love and sorrow,
And send my peaceful soul to rest." [Cox A, Miss Violet Noland, Davis, Tucker County, March 24, 1916; obtained from Mr. John Raese, who learned it when a boy and wrote it down in 1880. ]
-------
'In yonder field go stick an arrow;
I wish the same was in my breast.
I'd bid adieu to sin and sorrow,
And my poor soul would be at rest.[ Eva Case, Belden D, 1916]
--------
7. "Down in a valley there lies a sharp arrow:
I wish I had it across my breast;
It would cut off all grief and sorrow
And lay this troubled heart to rest." [MS book from Indiana; Pound 1916]
---------------------
7 There sticks an arrow in yons wa';
I wish the same was in my breast;
I'd bid adieu to sin and sorrow,
While my poor soul would be at rest. [Sharp F, Virginia 1918]
----------------------
'In yonder wood there grows an arrow,
I wish I had it through my breast;
'Twould put an end to all my sorrow,
And my poor soul should be at rest.'[Belden E, 1920]
----------------
Down in yon valley there grows a green yarrow[1],
I wish that yarrow[1] was shot through my breast--
It would end my grief, it would end my sorrow,
And set my troubled mind at rest. [Jean Ritchie 1953]
1. arrow; usually it would be "lies a green arrow"
-----------------------
I wish I were in some lonely valley
Where I could neither see nor hear
My food it would be of grief and of sorrow
My drink would be of the briny tears.
For down in yon meadow there is a sharp arrow
I wish it were through my breast,
It'd drive away all grief and all sorrow
And take my troubles home to rest.[Emerson WV 1970]
------------------
Ending stanzas: Type 1
So dig my grave both long and deep,
Place a marble stone at my head and feet,
And on my breast a turtle dove,
To show the world I died for love. [Wehman's broadside 1890]
------------------------
When her parents arose in the morning,
They found how cruel that they had been,
For they caused the lives of those dearest children
Now lie mould'ring in the tomb. [Gardner A]
--------------------
Oh may this day be long remembered,
Oh may this day be ne'er forgot,
To all your cruel-hearted parents,
Who try and keep two lovers apart. [Oaks Family, 1930 REC]
------------------
Said a mother to a father,
"What a mystery you have wrought,
Broke the lives of two young lovers,
Sent them to their homes above."[Eddy A, 1939]
-------------------
6. Said the parents to one another,
"Oh, how silly we have been,
To cause the death of these two lovers,
Who now lie mouldering 'neath the green."[Eddy B, 1939]
-----------------------
8. The parents looked at one another
To see how cruel they had been
To pierce the heart of those two lovers
Who now lies molding[1] in the tomb. [Eddy C, 1939]
1. moldering
------------------
Said the father to the mother,
“Oh, how cruel we must have been
To take the lives of those true lovers
Who lie so silent in their tomb.”[Wolf, 1961]
-----------------
“There is seven ships upon the ocean
And seven more upon dry land.
Willie in one and I in another,
And oh how happy we will be!”[Fowke, Manitoba 1966]
Ending stanza Type 2:
"Oh don't you see the clouds a-risin'
To hide us from the setting sun?"
"Oh yes I see the clouds a-risin'
To hide us from the setting sun,"
"Oh won't you be glad when we are blest with [the] pleasure,
And we both become as one?" [Rawn MS, Georgia 1914]
---------------------
Oh don't you see those dark cloud rising,
They're rising in a billowy dome.
I think we'll have some fair weather,
When these dark clouds are overblown. [Mary Lomax, 1958 AL opening]
-----------------------
'Go dig my grave in yonder meadow,
Place marble stones at my head and feet,
And on my breast a turtle dove
To show the world that I died for love.'[Eva Case, Belden D, 1916- follows "arrow" stanza
------------------
Don't you see the clouds a-gathering?
They gather thick and thunder loud.
I live in hopes I'll see some pleasure
Before these clouds overthrow.
Over the hills and down the valley
O William Reilly he did roam,
Over the hills and down the valley
Poor William Reilly dead was found. [Chappell B, 1924]
------------------------
I will not go and ask my mother
For she is on her bed at rest,
And in her hands she holds a paper
To prove the man that I love best.
Oh Molly, Molly melancholy[1],
You have caused my heart to break,
For in your heart you love another
And in my grave I'd rather be. [Parler D, 1928]
1. See Robert's version from In the Pines.
--------------------
'Love, oh, love, she said she wouldn't have me.
I'll sail the ocean till I die.
Then I'll sail away then to the sea
If I can find some girl that will have me.
'Oh, don't you see them clouds rising,
Dark and thick, and thunder roar?
I live in hopes to see some pleasure
Before these clouds does overblow.' [Brown C, 1940]
-------------------
5. "Then don't you see that cloud a rising
To shield us from the rising sun;
Oh, won't you be glad my own true lover
When you and I become as one?" [Arnold, AL, 1945]
---------------
Oh Molly, Molly, melancholy,
You've caused my tender heart to break.
Though I swam the last end of old Kentucky (sic)
I'll cross the ocean for your sake.
Now must I leave both father and mother,
And go along with you instead,
And nevermore be with no other
Nor nevermore amongst the gay? [Parler E 1952]
-------------------
6. O Molly, Molly Melancholy,
You've caused my poor heart to break,
I've crossed the west lands of Kentucky,
I've crossed the ocean for your sake. [Roberts 1959]
---------------
Oh Edward, dear, go and court some other,
And whisper sweet things in her ear,
Oh, no, I’ll not go court some other,
For you’re the one that I hold dear.
'Tis I can climb the highest tree top,
'Tis I could rob the rich’s nest,
'Tis I could wed the fairest lady,
But not the one that I love best.[Parler b, 1958]
_______________________________________
EAST VIRGINIA [one stanza; "Molly dear" similar to Shelton's version]
I was born in East Virginia
North Carolina I did go
There I courted a fair young maiden
But her age I did not know
Oh her hair was dark and curly
And her cheeks were rosy red
On her breast she wore white lilies
Where I longed to lay my head
Molly dear, go ask your mother
If you my bride might ever be
If she says no, come back and tell me
And I'll run away with you
I'll go back to East Virginia
North Carolina ain't my home
I'll go back to East Virginia
Leave old North Carolina alone
The ocean's deep and I can't wade it
And I have no wings to fly
I'll just get some blue-eyed boatman
For to row me over the tide
Oh you know I'd like to see you
At my door you're welcome in
At my gate I'll always greet you
For you're the girl I tried to win
Source: transcription of Mike Seeger, Ralph Stanley and Jack Cooke 'East Virginia' on Mike Seeger 'Third Annual Farewell Reunion' Rounder CD 0313
_____________________
Kittredge's Notes: Journal of American Folklore, Volumes 30-31, 1917
THE DROWSY SLEEPER.
“The Drowsy Sleeper” was printed in this Journal in 1907 from a copy collected by Miss Pettit in Kentucky (20: 260–261), and attention was called to its connection with a Nithsdale song given in part by Allan Cunningham in his edition of Burns, 1834 (4:285), as well as with a Sussex song and a Catnach broadside. In 1908 Belden printed three versions, two from Missouri and one from Arkansas, in Herrig's “Archiv,” I 19:430–431. Other copies have since come in; and these are worth publishing, not only because of the literary relations of the piece, but also because of the curious varieties in which it occurs and its mixture with other songs.
The English song published by Sharp under the title of “Arise, Arise” (“Folk-Songs from Somerset,” No. 99, 4:56–57; “One Hundred English Folksongs,” No. 47, pp. 106–107), is related to “The Drowsy Sleeper.” Stanza I (Sharp) corresponds to stanza I of version III (p. 341, below); stanza 2, to stanzas 3 and 4; stanza 3, to stanza 5; Sharp's stanza 5 resembles Miss Wyman's stanza 8 (p. 340, below), and his eighth stanza agrees with the last stanza of Belden's version II (“Archiv,” 119:431). Sharp's version agrees pretty closely with the Catnach broadside entitled “The Drowsy Sleeper” (Harvard College, 25242.2, fol. 172). See also “Journal of Folk-Song Society,” I : 269-270 (“O who is that that raps at my window?”).
The conclusion of versions IV and V (below) shows admixture of “The Silver Dagger;”” and this is true also of a broadside text of “The Drowsy Sleeper,” published by H. J. Wehman, New York (No. 518, “Who's at My Bedroom Window?” Harvard College Library).
___________________
"Silver Dagger" as sung by Joan Baez; 1960. [Not traditional; reworking of 1st stanza of Drowsy Sleeper]
Don't sing love songs; you'll wake my mother
She's sleeping here, right by my side
And in her right hand, a silver dagger
She says that I can't be your bride.
All men are false, says my mother
They'll tell you wicked, lovin' lies
The very next evening, they'll court another
Leave you alone to pine and sigh.
My daddy is a handsome devil
He's got a chain five miles long
And on every link a heart does dangle
Of another maid he's loved and wronged.
Go court another tender maiden
And hope that she will be your wife
For I've been warned and I've decided
To sleep alone all of my life.
____________________________________
Oh, Who is at My Bedroom Window? [From Nova Scotia; Mackenzie, 1928]
Oh, who is at my bedroom window,
Disturbing me from my night's rest?
It is, it is your own true lover,
The very one that you love best.
Go Maggie dear, go ask your father,
See if our wedding bride may be.
If he says "No", love, come and tell me,
And I'll no longer troubled be.
It is no use of asking father,
For he is on his bed of rest,
And by his side a silver dagger
To stab the one that he loves best.
Go, Maggie dear, go ask your mother,
See if our wedding bride may be.
If she says "No", love, come and tell me,
And I'll no longer troubled be.
It is no use of asking mother
For she is on to set us free.
You'd better go and court some other
For you cannot marry me.
I can climb the highest mountain
I can rob the eagle's nest,
I can court some other,
But you're the one that I love best.
She drew the dagger from her pocket
And buried it deep, deep in her breast;
Sang adieu to her cruel parents
I'll die with the one that I love best.
He drew the dagger from her bosom
And buried it deep, deep in his breast
Sang adieu to her cruel parents
And she died with the one that she loved best.
From Folk Songs of the Americas, Lloyd and Rivera (Canada)
_________________________________
Awake, Awake -- by Elizabeth LaPrelle; 284 White Rock Furnace Rd., Rural Retreat, VA 24368 [tradtional?]
Awake, awake, you drowsy sleeper.
Awake, awake, it is almost day.
How can you sleep, you cruel creature.
Since you have stolen my heart away?
Oh hush, hush, hush, don't you wake my mother.
No songs of love will she let me hear.
If you sing songs, go, pray court some other,
Or whisper lowly in my ear.
My father lies in the next room, simple
Taking of his natural rest.
And in his right hand he holds a weapon
He says he'll kill the one I love best.
Come Polly Bawn, come, you'll stop my pining.
Sit you down by the side of me.
And put your loving arms around me,
And say you'll love no one but me.
I'll go with you in some lonesome valley,
And there I'll spend my days with you..
Though all my meals will be of the freshest berries,
And the water I drink of the morning dew
Pretty flowers was made to bloom, love.
Pretty stars was made to shine.
Pretty girls was made for boys to love,
And maybe you was made for mine.
________________________________________
Missing Versions:
Yiddish Folksongs from the Ruth Rubin Archive, Volume 1
By Ruth Rubin, Mark Slobin
--------------
Willie and Mary
Roud Folksong Index (S165920)
First Line: Who comes tapping at my bedroom window
Source: Edith Fowke Coll. (FO 64)
Performer: Thatcher, Bill
Date: 1964 (Aug)
Place: USA : Michigan : Grand Rapids
Collector: Fowke, Edith
Roud No: 22621
-----------------
Raft-man's Song [Also mention by Ritchie]
Roud Folksong Index (S188154)
First Line: Wake up, wake up, you drowsy sleeper
Source: Sulzer, Twenty-Five Kentucky Folk Ballads 1 (1936) p.18
Performer:
Date:
Place: USA : Kentucky : Woodford County
Collector: Sulzer, Elmer Griffith
The Kentucky River
By William E. Ellis
There is even a “Raft-Man's Song,” attributed to an unknown Woodford County troubadour. The music notes say “Many years ago, men rafting down lumber from
Anyway, the words are interesting, evoking typical nineteenth century melodrama in which an omniscient voice calls to the young raftsman, “Wake up, wake up, You drowsy sleeper, Wake up, wake up, It's almost day, How can you lay and
---------------------
Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S259235)
First Line:
Source: Library of Congress recording 3426 A1
Performer: Jones, Mrs. R.
Date: 1935
Place: USA : Virginia : Whitetop
Collector: Chase, Richard
Roud No: 22621
----------------
Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S259236)
First Line:
Source: Library of Congress recording 2996 A1
Performer: Prewitt, Nellie / Ina Jones
Date: 1939
Place: USA : Mississippi : Burnsville
Collector: Halpert, Herbert
-----------------------
The Drowsy Sleepers
Roud Folksong Index (S259239)
First Line:
Source: Library of Congress recording 1753 A1
Performer: Bryant, Mrs. T.M.
Date: 1938
Place: USA : Indiana : Evansville
Collector: Lomax, Alan & Elizabeth
Roud No: 22621
--------------
Title: Willie and Lena
Contributor Names
Lomax, John Avery -- 1867-1948 (recordist)
Moore, Alec (singer)
Created / Published
Austin, Texas.
- Sung by Alec Moore. (statement of responsibility)
- Oh, who is at my bedroom window? (first line)
- AFC 1935/002 (AFC Number)
- AFS 00058 A01 (AFS Number)
-----------------
The Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S203684)
First Line: Wake up, wake up, you drowsy sleeper
Source: Leach, The Book of Ballads (1967) pp.183-184
-------------------
The book of ballads - Page 183
MacEdward Leach, Limited Editions Club - 1967
THE DROWSY SLEEPER
"Wake up, wake up, you drowsy sleeper,
Wake up, wake up, it's almost day;
How can you bear to sleep and slumber
When your own true love is going away?"
"Who's this, who's this at my bedroom window,
Calling so earnestly for me?"
"Lie low, lie low, it's your own true lover;
Awake, arise and pity me."
[ ]
"I dare not go ask my father,
For he is on his bed of rest;
And in his arms he holds a weapon,
To kill the one I Love the best."
"O, Mary, Mary, loving Mary,
My heart is almost broke for you;
From North Carolina to Pennsylvania
I'll spend my hours and days with you.
"I'll move my boat to some other river,
And by its waters I'll sit down;
I'll eat nothing but green willow,
I'll drink nothing but my tears."
"Come back, come back, you distracted lover,
Come back, and I your bride will be,
And I'll forsake, I'll forsake father and mother,
Forsake them all and go with thee."
------------------
Mid-America Folklore - Volume 30 - Page 57
https://books.google.com/books?id=X01LAAAAYAAJ
2002 - Snippet view - More editions
Ballads and Songs of Most Probable British Origin
WAKE UP, WAKE UP, YOU DROWSY SLEEPER Sung by Mr. Dan W. Mclnturff of Marshall, Arkansas, in July, 1942
Other variants recorded by Campbell and Sharp, Number 47; Chappell
-----------
Kattie Dear
Roud Folksong Index (S312664)
First Line: Oh Katie dear go ask your mother
Source: Rural Rhythm RRJEM 225 ('Legendary J.E. Mainer Vol.7')
Performer: Mainer, J.E.
Date:
Place: USA
Collector:
Roud No: 22621
-------------
Dig. Appalachia
Silver Dagger
Vocal Music--Kentucky; Taylor, Emma; Silver Dagger;
Song sung by Emma Taylor and recorded by Barbara Kunkle in Carter County, Kentucky [1974].
Silver Dagger
Parsons, Phoeba; Folk Songs--West Virginia; Silver Dagger;
Song sung unaccompanied by Phoeba Parsons of Calhoun County, West Virginia at the Berea College Celebration of Traditional Music 10-30-30.
Silver Dagger
Ballads; Autoharps;
An unidentified woman plays autoharp and sings a version of the Silver Dagger in which no one is killed. This tune is from a cassette labelled 'Bascom Lamar Lunsford', a song collecter and organizer of the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in...
----------------
Awake, You Drowsy Sleeper (talking)
Jean Ritchie performs solo at the Asheville Junction, a coffeehouse venue founded by Andy Cohen. Jean is from Viper, Kentucky, born in 1922.
Warren Wilson College
-----
Awake, You Drowsy Sleeper
Bob White performs at the Asheville Junction, a coffehouse venue founded by Andy Cohen. This is the first night of a two-concert series.
Warren Wilson College
-----
Awake You Drowsy Sleeper
An unidentified woman plays autoharp at the Clyde Fiddler's Convention.
Warren Wilson College
----
Awake, You Drowsy Sleeper
Evelyn Ramsey sings in her Madison County home for a group of high school students from Paideia school in Atlanta. The group is led by John Sundale. Evelyn's father, Morris Norton is also present.
-----------
Katy Dear
George Shuffler talks about his guitar in Sage Cafe at Warren Wilson College. George played with the Stanley Brothers, at the dawn of bluegrass, for more than twenty years. He li
--------------------------------
Missing Versions:
[From: Brewster; Ballads and Songs of Indiana ; Indiana University Publications, Folklore Series; 1940. His notes follow,
28 THE DROWSY SLEEPER
Six variants of this song have been recovered in Indiana, under the following titles: "The Drowsy Sleeper," "Mollie," and "Serenade."
For American texts, see Belden, Herrig's Archiv, CXIX, 430; Campbell and Sharp, No. 47; Cox, p. 348; Greenleaf and Mansfield, p. 151; Hudson, Folksongs, p. 161; Journal, XX, 260; XXIX, 200; XXX, 338 (contains an Indiana text); XXXV, 356; XLV, 55 (one stanza); Pound, p. 51; Scarborough, Song Catcher, p. 139; Sharp, Folk-Songs of English Origin . . ., 2d series, p. 48; Sturgis and Hughes, p. 30; Henry, Folk-Songs from the Southern Highlands, p. 190 (fragment). British: JFSS, I, 269; II, 56. See also Baskerville's study, "English Songs on the Night Visit," in PMLA, XXXVI, 565-614.
D No title given. Contributed by Miss Florence Eva Dillan, of Indianapolis, Indiana. Marion County. January 30, 1936. Four stanzas, the last two from "The Silver Dagger."
[No text]
E. "The Drowsy Sleeper." Contributed by Mrs. T. M. Bryant, of Evans-ville, Indiana. Vanderburg County. November 30, 1935. Six stanzas.
[No text]
F. No title given. Contributed by Mrs. Dora Ward, of Princeton, Indiana. Gibson County. November 16, 1935. One stanza.
------
From Brewster: Ballads and Songs of Indiana; 1940. His notes follow. This is a version of the composed ballad, a traditional version was published in 1849 in NY in Spirit of the Times as sung by "Sal Jenkins." The original has not been found but it would have been printed around 1810. The B version in the Brown Collection is dated 1838.
38 THE SILVER DAGGER
Four texts of this song have been recovered in Indiana, all of them under the title "The Silver Dagger." All four tell the same story. For other American texts and references, see Campbell and Sharp, II, p. 229; Cox, p. 350; Journal, XX, 267; XXX, 362; XLVI, 45; XLIX, 211; Hudson, Folksongs, p. 188; Pound, Ballads, No. 52; Sturgis and Hughes, Songs from the Hills of Vermont, p. 30; Thomas, p. 110; Neely, Tales and Songs of Southern Illinois, p. 162.
C. "The Silver Dagger." Contributed by Mrs. Hiram Vaughan, of Oakland City, Indiana. Gibson County. April 21, 1935. Eight stanzas. [no text]
D. "The Silver Dagger." Contributed by Mrs. T. M. Bryant, of Evansville, Indiana. Vanderburg County. November 15, 1935. Eleven stanzas. [no text]
---------------------
From: Ballads and Songs of Michigan by Emelyn- Elizabeth Gardner and Geraldine Jencks Chickering, Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press London: Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press: 1939.
Texts not given:
D The Drowsy Sleeper
Obtained in 1931 by Miss Ruth Barnes, Ypsilanti, from Mr. Roland V. Bell, Sherwood, a student at Michigan State Normal College, Ypsilanti, who had learned the song in his childhood from his mother, Mrs. Emma Spellman, a woman of English and Holland-Dutch stock, but American-born. A text similar to A except for the omission of the first two lines, in which the lover tries to awaken his sweetheart, and of stanza 8.
E The Silver Dager
The Tuthill manuscript. A text the same length as A and similar to it.
F. Willie and Mary
Sung in #34 by Mrs. Chauncey Leach, Kalkaska, who learned the song from Mr. Frank Jewel about 1914 in Stearns's lumber camp near Kalkaska. A text similar to A except for the omission of stanza 8.
The Silver Dagger - Rounder 0051 Sara Ogan Gunning
Sheila Clark, "Silver Dagger" (on LegendTomDula)
Betty Garland, "Never Make True Lovers Part" (on BGarland01)
Paul Joines, "Young Men and Maids" (on Persis1)
Tommy Moore, Clint Howard et al, "True Lovers" (on Ashley02)
-------------------
The Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S203679)
First Line: Arise, arise, you drowsy sleeper
Source: Barry, Maine Woods Songster p.83
Performer: Turner, Mrs. Verne (Text) / Mrs. Susan G. Lewis
Date:
Place: USA : Maine : Busksport | Brownsville
Collector: Barry, Phillips
-----------------
First Line:
Source: Library of Congress recording 3760 A
Performer: Kennison, J.C.
Date: 1939 (Nov)
Place: USA : Vermont : Bennington
Collector: Lomax, Alan / Helen Hartness Flanders
Roud No: 22621
----------------
Awake Awake
Roud Folksong Index (S227850)
First Line: Wake up, wake up you drowsy sleeper
Source: Cecil Sharp MSS, Folk Tunes p.4154
Performer: Dunagan, Mrs. Margaret
Date: 1917 (12 Oct)
Place: USA : Kentucky : St. Helen's
Collector: Sharp, Cecil J.
Roud No: 22621
-------------
Wake Oh Wake You Drowsy Sleepers [see version in her book]
Roud Folksong Index (S265325)
First Line:
Source:
Performer: McDowell, Mrs. L.L.
Date: 1936
Place: USA : Tennessee : Smithville
Collector: Robertson, Sidney
Roud No: 22621
---------------------
Sluggard Lover
Roud Folksong Index (S311257)
First Line: Wake up, wake up, you drowsy sleeper
Source: Duncan, Ballads & Folk Songs Collected in Northern Hamilton County (1939) pp.181-182
Performer: Hughes, Mrs. Rosa
Date: 1938c
Place: USA : Tennessee : Flat Top
Collector: Duncan, Ruby
Roud No: 22621
------------------
Who's that At My Bedroom Window
Roud Folksong Index (S165452)
First Line: Who's that at my bedroom window
Source: Doerflinger, Songs of the Sailor & Lumberman (1972 edn) pp.313-314
Performer: Nielson, `Duke'
Date:
Place: Canada : New Brunswick : Saint John
Collector: Doerflinger, William Main
Roud No: 22621
----------------
Molly
Roud Folksong Index (S245138)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.47 (version d)
Performer: Bentley, Mrs. Cordelia
Date: 1939 (4 Aug)
Place: USA : Virginia : Esserville
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Roud No: 22621
-----------
The Silver Dagger
Roud Folksong Index (S251792)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.735 (version a)
Performer: Roberts, Dicy
Date: 1938 (8 Nov)
Place: USA : Virginia : Big Laurel
Collector: Adams, John Taylor
Roud No: 22621
------------------
The Droopery Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S233466)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.47 (version b)
Performer: Robbins, Mrs. Neely
Date: 1940 (18 Jul)
Place: USA : Virginia : Wise
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Roud No: 22621
----------------------
The Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S233509)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.47 (version a)
Performer: Mullins, Mrs. Minnie
Date: 1940 (24 Sep)
Place: USA : Virginia : Wise
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Roud No: 22621
---------------
O Katie Dear
Roud Folksong Index (S246646)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.735 (version b)
Performer: Wagoner, Mrs. Silla
Date: 1939 (2 Sep)
Place: USA : Virginia : Endicott
Collector: Sloan, Raymond H.
Roud No: 22621
--------------------
Wake Up You Drowsy Sleepers
Roud Folksong Index (S255113)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.47 (version e)
Performer: Wagober, Mrs. Alice
Date: 1939 (8 Aug)
Place: USA : Virginia : Endicott
Collector: Sloan, Raymond H.
Roud No: 22621
------------------
Silver Dagger
Roud Folksong Index (S251784)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) D20 A 11
Performer: Hayes, Hanford
Date: 1941
Place: USA : Maine : Stacyville
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness
Roud No: 22621
------------------
Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S267276)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) D48 B 03
Performer: Barden, Michael
Date: 1946
Place: USA : Massachusetts : Dorchester
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness
Roud No: 22621
-----------------------
Hark Hark Who's At My Window
Roud Folksong Index (S237384)
First Line:
Source: WPA Collection, Univ. of Virginia, Charlotteville, No.47 (version c)
Performer: Johnson, Mrs. Polly
Date: 1939 (8 Feb)
Place: USA : Virginia : Wise
Collector: Hamilton, Emory L.
Roud No: 22621
----------------------
Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S267278)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) T11 A 19
Performer: LaDuke, Beatrice Shute
Date: 1958 (24 Oct)
Place: USA : Vermont : Hardwick
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness
Roud No: 22621
---------------------------
Silver Dagger
Roud Folksong Index (S251783)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) T14 A 02
Performer: Finnemore, Charles
Date: 1941?
Place: USA : Maine : Bridgewater
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness
Roud No: 22621
---------------------------
Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S267277)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) D34 B 16
Performer: Chase, Amos
Date: 1942 (20 Sep)
Place: USA : New Hampshire : Wentworth
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness
Roud No: 22621
------------------------
The Silver Dagger
Roud Folksong Index (S311233)
First Line:
Source: Anderson, A Collection of Ballads & Songs from East Tennessee (1936) p.146
Performer: Havens, Mrs. Flora
Date:
Place: USA : Tennessee : Binfield
Collector:
Roud No: 2262
----------------------
Silver Dagger
Roud Folksong Index (S251785)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) D44 A 08
Performer: Luther, Sidney
Date: 1945 (23 Sep)
Place: USA : New Hampshire : Pittsburg
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness
Roud No: 22621
---------------------
Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S267279)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) D41 B 20
Performer: Torp, Agnes Shepard
Date: 1945 (1 Jan)
Place: USA : Vermont : Weathersfield
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness
Roud No: 22621
------------------
The Shining Dagger
Roud Folksong Index (S311216)
First Line:
Source: Perry, A Sampling of the Folklore of Carter County, Tennessee (1938) p.99
Performer: Hicks, Mrs.
Date:
Place: USA : Tennessee : Carter County
Collector:
Roud No: 22621
----------------------
The Shining Dagger
Roud Folksong Index (S311217)
First Line:
Source: Perry, A Sampling of the Folklore of Carter County, Tennessee (1938) p.100
Performer: Cable, Mrs. Pauline
Date:
Place: USA : Tennessee : Carter County
Collector:
Roud No: 22621
---------------------
Who's At My Bedroom Window
Roud Folksong Index (S273679)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) D36 A 14
Performer: Smith, Mrs. S.
Date: 1943 (11 Jul)
Place: USA : New Hampshire : Orford
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness
Roud No: 22621
------------------
Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S267275)
First Line: Arise arise you drowsy sleeper
Source: Helen Creighton collection (Nova Scotia Archives) AR 5444 / AC 2308 / 2005
Performer: Hatt, Nathan
Date: 1952 (May)
Place: Canada : Nova Scotia : Middle River
Collector: Creighton, Helen
Roud No: 22621
------------------
Who is At My Bedroom Window
Roud Folksong Index (S273674)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) T6 A 14
Performer: Hoadley, Lester (Jack)
Date: 1954 (23 Oct)
Place: USA : Vermont : Johnson
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness
Roud No: 22621
------------------
Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S271970)
First Line: Who is at my bedroom window
Source: Helen Creighton collection (Nova Scotia Archives) AR 5676 / AC 2331 / 2459
Performer: Heighton, Mrs. Greta
Date: 1953 (Sep)
Place: Canada : Nova Scotia : River John
Collector: Creighton, Helen
Roud No: 22621
-----------------
Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S271969)
First Line: Who's there? who's there? beneath my window
Source: Helen Creighton collection (Nova Scotia Archives) AR 5639 / AC 2327 / 2329
Performer: Stoddard, Sandy
Date: 1953 (Jul)
Place: Canada : Nova Scotia : Lower Ship Harbour
Collector: Creighton, Helen
Roud No: 22621
-----------------
Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S271969)
First Line: Who's there? who's there? beneath my window
Source: Helen Creighton collection (Nova Scotia Archives) AR 5639 / AC 2327 / 2329
Performer: Stoddard, Sandy
Date: 1953 (Jul)
Place: Canada : Nova Scotia : Lower Ship Harbour
Collector: Creighton, Helen
Roud No: 22621
---------------------
Drowsy Sleeper
Roud Folksong Index (S233508)
First Line: Pray who is at my bedroom window
Source: Helen Creighton collection (Nova Scotia Archives) AR 5150 / AC 2254 / 1228
Performer: Swim, Miss Evelyn
Date: 1949 (22 Jul)
Place: Canada : Nova Scotia : Cape Sable Island
Collector: Creighton, Helen
Drowsy Sleeper (Willie) (from SWIM, Miss Evelyn of Cape Sable Island, Shelburne
first line of song: Pray who is at my bedroom window...) — 22 July 1949
---------------
Who's At My Bedroom Window
Roud Folksong Index (S273678)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) D36 A 13
Performer: Smith, Carroll B.
Date: 1943 (11 Jul)
Place: USA : New Hampshire : Orford
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness
Roud No: 22621
--------------------
Silver Dagger
Roud Folksong Index (S251786)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) D34 A 10
Performer: Mancour, Mrs. Alice
Date: 1942 (17 Oct)
Place: USA : Vermont : Bellows Falls
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness
Roud No: 22621
----------------------
Silver Dagger
Roud Folksong Index (S251788)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) D22 B 06
Performer: Richards, Belle Luther
Date: 1942 (22 Apr)
Place: USA : New Hampshire : Colebrook
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness
Roud No: 22621
----------------------
Silver Dagger
Roud Folksong Index (S251790)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) D22 A 09
Performer: Robie, Mrs. Alice
Date: 1942 (22 Apr)
Place: USA : New Hampshire : Pittsburg
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness
Roud No: 22621
--------------------
Silver Dagger
Roud Folksong Index (S251791)
First Line:
Source: Helen Hartness Flanders Collection (Middlebury College, Vermont) D37 B 10
Performer: Robie, Mrs. Alice
Date: 1943 (19 Jul)
Place: USA : New Hampshire : Pittsburg
Collector: Flanders, Helen Hartness
Roud No: 22621
----------------
Rebecca King Jones was the daughter of William Allison King and Melissa Warren. She was born 16 Apr 1865 in Wake County, and died 27 August 1951. She was the sister of my 2nd Great Grandfather, Wiley Rufus King.
----------------
Hedy West sang Drowsy Sleeper in 1963 on her eponymous Vanguard album, Hedy West. She commented in her sleeve notes:
Grandma and Uncle Gus learned Drowsy Sleeper from Virge West while he was courting their older sister, Molly. I have supplied a segment of the third verse, which was incomplete when I learned it.
----------------
Silver Dagger- (NC) 1981 REC
http://dla.acaweb.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/Warren/id/964/rec/29
Female vocalist, playing dulcimer at Swannanoa NC. Bascom Lamar Lunsford Festival, held at Mars Hill College each October.
Awake, awake, you drowsy sleeper
Awake, awake, it's almost day,
How can you lie and sleep and slumber
And your true love goes far away.
Oh say love go and ask your mother,
If you my bride [tape stops],
-----------
Silver dagger Sung by Crockett Ward. (statement of responsibility)
- Young men and ladies, lend attention (first line)
- AFS 01341 B (AFS Number)
------------------
Burl Ives version Drowsy sleeper
Little Sparrow
Edden Hammons
c. 1874-1955
Edden Hammons Drowsy sleepers [Milnes]
There's many a bright and sun-shiny morning
That will turn to a dark and a dreary day
Hundley, Holley. Folksongs and Ballads, Vol 3, Augusta Heritage AHR 009, Cas (1991), trk# 1.01 [1989/11/08]
Leisy, James F. (ed.) / Hootenanny Tonight!, Gold Medal Books, sof (1964), p 58
Sizemore, Asher; and Little Jimmy. Sizemore, Asher; and Little Jimmy / Favorite Mountain Ballads & Old T..., Sizemore, fol (1932), p37 (Lover's/Loves Farewell)
Tuthill, Mrs. Allan. Gardner, Emelyn E. & Geraldine Chickering / Ballads and Songs of Souther, Folklore Associates, Bk (1967/1939), p 89/# 23 [1900ca]
Leisy, James F. (ed.) / Folk Song Abecedary, Bonanza, Bk (1966), p300
Bronner-Eskin1 31, "The Silver Dagger" (1 text, 1 tune)
Darling-NAS, pp. 221-222, "Young Men and Maids" (1 text)