| Author | Topic: Add: On the banks of Sweet Dundee [Undaunted Mary] | |
| dmcg | Posted - 17 Apr 03 - 01:47 pm | |
On the Banks of Sweet Dundee This is of a farmer's daughter, Most beautiful, I'm told; Her parents died and left to her A large amount of gold. She lived with her uncle, Th' cause of all her woe; But soon you'll hear this maiden fair Did prove his overthrow. Her uncle had a plow-boy, Young Mary loved him well, An' in her uncle's garden Their tales of love would tell. There was a wealthy squire That oft her came to see, But still she loved her plow-boy On the banks of sweet Dundee. Her uncle an' the squire Rode out one summer's day, He knocked at this fair maid's door An' unto her did say, "Arise, arise, my pretty maid, A lady you may be; The squire is waitin'for you On the banks of sweet Dundee." "I care not for no squires, Nor dukes nor lords likewise; My Willie's eyes appear to me Like diamonds in the skies." "Begone, unruly female, You ne'er shall happy be; I intend to banish Willie From the banks of sweet Dundee." Her uncle an' the squire Rode out one summer's day, Young Willie was in favor, Her uncle he did say. "Indeed, it's my intention To tie him to a tree, An' then to bribe the press-gang On the banks of sweet Dundee." A press-gang came to William When he was all alone; He boldly fought for liverty But they was six to one. The blood did flow in torrents, "Pray kill me now," says he, "An' I will die for Mary On the banks of sweet Dundee." This maid was out a-walkin', Lamentin' for her love. When she met the wealthy squire Down in her uncle's grove. He put his arms around her, "Stand off, base man," says she, "For you have sent the lad I love From the banks of sweet Dundee." He put his arms around her An' tried to throw her down; Two pistols an' a sword she saw Beneath his morning gown. She took the weapons from him, The sword he used so free, An' she did fire an' killed the squire On the banks of sweet Dundee. Her uncle overheard the noise An' hastened to the ground, Sayin', "Since you've went an' killed the squire I'll give you your death wound." "Stand off again," cried MAry, "undaunted I will be." She the trigger drew an' her uncle slew On the banks of sweet Dundee. A doctor soon was sent for, A man of noble skill, An' there then come a lawyer For him to sign his will. He willed his gold to Mary, Who fought so manfully; Then he closed his eyes, no more to rise On the banks of sweet Dundee. Source: Randolph, V, 1982. Ozark Folksongs, Illinois Press, Urbana Notes: Randolph wrote:
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| Malcolm Douglas |
Posted - 17 Apr 03 - 05:10 pm | |
Roud 148 Laws M25 Another song found widely in tradition in English-speaking countries, and much printed on broadsides. See Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads: Undaunted Mary, or The banks of sweet Dundee and the sequel: Answer to Undaunted Mary At Glasgow Broadside Ballads: Undaunted Mary On The Banks Of Sweet Dundee. At The Wolf Collection of Ozark Folksongs: On the Banks of Sweet Bandee Edited By Malcolm Douglas - 17/04/2003 17:24:30 | ||
| dmcg | Posted - 23 Jun 07 - 06:35 am | |
See also "The Farmer's Daughter" in "ENglish County Songs". | ||