White River Shore- Ingenthron (Missouri) 1940
[From Randolph, Ozark Folksongs, Vol. 1 ballads, p. 306. This is one of the few versions that clearly establishes the connection between "The New River Shore" versions and "The Bold Soldier." Randolph included this and his version D, "Dear Jewel" under his Valiant Soldier heading. A nearly identical recording of Ingenthron was made by Max Hunter in 1958, nearly twenty years later. I've made a separate entry for the "White River Shore" in the Max Hunter Collection.
R. Matteson 2014]
WHITE RIVER SHORE- Charles Ingenthron (Missouri) 1940, music from Max Hunter collection, Randolph's transcription is very similar
VERSE 1: At the foot of yonder mountain, where fountains they do flow
The valley was covered all over with snow
I courted a fair damsel for six months or more
And I gained her affections on the White River shore
VERSE 2: When her old father came this to know
He swore he would send me to the regions below
He gathered up an army of twenty men or more
For to fight for his daughter, on the White River shore
VERSE 3: The old man he rode to his daughter's side,
. . . . . . . .
Saying, "If this is your intention to be a soldier's wife,
[In yonders lonesome valley, I will quickly end your life."] [1]
VERSE 4: Let's retreat, says the lady, for fear we be slain
Oh no, says the soldier, I see that's all in vain
He drew his sword and pistol and hung them by his side
He swore he would get married, it what might be tried
VERSE 5: The first one he came to, he pierced him through the main
The next one he came to, he pierced him just the same
Out of twenty, he killed seven and wounded six more
And he gained his dear darling on the White River shore.
VERSE 6: Let's retreat, says the ole man, for fear we'll be slain
To fight a gallant soldier boy, I see that's all in vain
Come hold your hand, bold soldier, the portion is to small
Come hold your hand, bold soldier, and you may have it all.
VERSE 7: She wrote me a letter concerning her mind,
In the midst of the letter these words I did find.
Come back to me Johnny, it's you I adore,
It's to you I'll get married on the White River shore.
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1. I've added a possible traditional line:
In yonders lonesome valley, I will quickly end your life."