Balance Unto Me- Tucker (MD) pre1940 Carey
[From Maryland Folk Legends and Folk Songs; Carey, 1971. The informant Mrs. Alice Ridgeway Tucker from Davidsonville, Maryland was 84 when she died in 1944 so she was born before the Civil War. I've dated this pre-1940 because I don't know the authentic date which I'm sure is much older. She sang this to her 12 children and grandchildren. The text of her ballads was recalled by June Chance her granddaughter with the help of her mother (Tucker's daughter). See also Elfin Knight.
The last verse is found in Child R (similarly) and exactly in another US version.
R. Matteson Jr. 2014]
Balance Unto Me- Mrs. Alice Ridgeway Tucker
1. There was an old woman lived on the seashore,
Balance unto me,
There was an old woman lived on the seashore,
And she had daughters three and four,
REFRAIN: And I'll be true to my love
If my lover is true to me.
2. The oldest said she had a beau,
Balance unto me,
The oldest said she had a beau,
The youngest said she had none.
REFRAIN
3. Her lover he sent her a beaver hat,
Balance unto me,
Her lover he sent her a beaver hat,
And sister Kate, she smashed it flat,
REFRAIN
4. Oh, sister dear, sister, let's walk the seashore
Balance unto me,
Oh, sister dear, sister, let's walk the seashore,
And watch the boats as they sail o'er,
REFRAIN
5. As they were walking the sea brim,
Balance unto me,
As they were walking the sea brim,
The oldest shoved the youngest in,
REFRAIN
6. Oh, sister dear, sister, please lend me your hand,
Balance unto me,
Oh, sister dear, sister, please lend me your hand,
And you can have my house and land,
REFRAIN
?. I'll neither lend you my hand or my glove,
Balance unto me,
I'll neither lend you my hand or my glove,
For all you want is my true love,
REFRAIN
8. She dived her head and away she swam,
Balance unto me,
She dived her head and away she swam,
Close down by the miller's dam,
REFRAIN
9. The miller threw in his old grab hook,
Balance unto me,
The miller threw in his old grab hook,
And dragged her body from the brook,
REFRAIN
10. The eldest was hung by the village gate,
Balance unto me,
The eldest was hung by the village gate,
For the drowning of her sister Kate,
REFRAIN
11. The saddle and bridle are all on the shelf,
Balance unto me,
The saddle and bridle are all on the shelf,
If you want anymore You can sing it yourself,
REFRAIN