129. Johnny Doyle


129

Johnny Doyle

This Irish song is known also in Scotland, England (Sussex,
JFSS V 142), and rather widely in America: Nova Scotia (BSSNS
106-7), Vermont (NGMS 248-50), Virginia (SharpK 11 28. FSV
64), North Carolina (SharpK 11 27-8, SCSM 249-50, JAFL xlvi
32-3), Georgia (FSSH 162-3), Mississippi (FSM 159-60, FTM
9), Florida (SFLQ viii 163-4), Arkansas (OFS i 351-2), Mis-
souri (OFS I 350-1. 353). and Ohio (BSO 187-8); and it is in
Barry's list for the North Atlantic states and in Shearin's for
Kentucky. The texts are likely to be somewhat defective or con-
fused, as is the case with that in the Brown Collection. For 'The
Faultless Bride,' which tells the same story but is not the same
ballad, see BSM 165.

'Johnny Dye.' From the Henneman collection, secured like his other
North Carolina texts from Mrs. Elizabeth Simpkins of Vanceboro,
Craven county. In the manuscript it is not divided into stanzas.

1 Last Friday night

Me and my true love took a flight.

2 My waiting maid was standing by, so plainly I did see
She run to my mama and told upon me.

3 My mama bundled up my clothes, she bid me be gone.
So slow and so slow as I bundled up my clothes.

4 She locked me up in a chamber so high

Where no one could see me as they were passing by.

5 My father he gave me five hundred a year,

A horse, bridle, and saddle for me to ride upon ;

6 Five loaded horsemen to ride at my side ;

All for to make me young Sammy More's bride.

7 We all rode on till we come to the highlands town,
To young William More's ; and there we all got down.

8 'You may all see pleasure, but I feel a-tired.

My poor heart is aching for young Johnny Dye.'

9 No sooner than the squire he entered at the door,
Her ear-rings were busted and fell on the floor.

10 Oh, there is ten pieces, if there be no more.
'He never shall enjoy me nor call me his own.'

1 1 She and her eldest brother was about to turn it home ;
Her mother conducted her into the room.

 

366 NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLORE
12

She hove herself along the bed.

13 'Oh, mother, dear mother, pray push to the door;

For your own life's sake don't let in the young Sammy
More.

14 'For you all may see a pleasure, but I feel a-tired.
My poor heart is aching for young Johnny Dye.'

15 'Oh, daughter, oh, daughter, let's send for young Johnny

Dye.'
*No, mother, no, mother, it's not worth your while ;

16 'For there's more grief at heart than my poor tongue can

tell.
My last dying words shall be "Johnny dear, farewell." '