Masterpiece of Love Songs- W. Nankivel (Dev) c.1892 Baring-Gould A
[From Sabine Baring-Gould Manuscript Collection (SBG/1/2/220)- 2 pages as: The Masterpiece of Love Songs [A]. According to Baring-Gould The Masterpiece of Love Songs was "Taken down by F.W.Bussel from William Nankivel," no date but Baring Gould supplies this info that "William Nankivel, an aged quarryman, who for years lived under Roos Tor, on the River Walla above Merrivale Bridge (Devon), absolutely illiterate, but with a memory laden with songs." Baring-Gould also supplies another melody, "Taken down from Sam Fone of Mary Tavy, by F.W.B., Dec. 23 1892."
No other versions of "Masterpiece" have been collected and it's very suspicious that Sam Fone would sing a version and no text is provided. Whether Nankivel sang a fragment that was recreated by Baring-Gould is unknown, clearly Baring-Gould knew Masterpiece but did not include the original text as a version-- as he usually did. The odds that this is a recreation are high and unless Bussel's original is found-- this cannot be considered legitimate. The language and radical changes found in this version could not be found in tradition.
R. Matteson 2018]
The Masterpiece of Love Songs [A]. "Taken down from 'Old Capul', W. Nankivell, Merrivale Bridge. clearly corrupt in metre, & lacking a last verse."
1. There was a gallant Forester,
Who chased the king’s deer,
He was a man of spirit bold,
And loved a lady dear,
“O prithee harken fair Lady,
My suit do you approve,
|: For I am in affection deep,
Toss’d to and fro in love.” :|
2. “My father is a nobleman
I do thus answer thee
And I am match for any lord
Of any high degree.”
“Both you & I, my lady sweet
From Adam came & Eve,
One loving word from your sweet lips,
To me is a reprieve.”
3. “My father is a haughty man,
An Earl of high Estate
And many gallant gentlemen
Upon his pleasure wait.
That I should wed a forester
He never would agree,
So mount your horse, good forester
And ride away from me.”
4. “O pretty lady fair & sweet
No warning will I take.
My life I gladly will lay down
All for thy dear sake.”
“Then set thee on thy saddle high
And I with thee will ride,
Unto the Church, & there indeed
I’ll make the my dear Bride.”
5. He set her on his milk white steed
And he rode her before
He spurr’d along the King’s highway,
Of miles they were a score.
And as they rode along the way
Her father she did spy.
Alack! alack! the Lady said
One or both soon shall die.
6. “Thy father, maid, I do not fear
Nor all his men beside,
The church is but a mile before,
Where you shall be my bride.”
Nor whip nor spur was stinted then
He never did give o'er,
Until the rein, the Forester,
He drew at the Church door.
7. The Earl he came a riding up
As fast as he could hie,
With six & twenty gentlemen
All in his company.
“Come on, come on the Forester said,
It is no time to prattle
I see by all your shining swords,
That you’re prepared to battle.
8. The wedding bells were ringing out
He stood against the wall
“Come on! come on! my gallant Earl,
Your merry men & all!”
To right, to left his sword did smite
And many there were slain,
The lady by the Churchyard wall
His horse held by the rein.
9. O then out spake the noble Earl,
“Stay, stay & hold thy hand.
I’ll give my daughter unto you,
Five thousand too in land.
“Strike on! strike on!” the lady said
The portion is too small!”
And still she held the horse she’d rode
Hard by the Churchyard wall.
10. “Now stay, now stay,” the Earl he said,
And let your will be done.
And I will give my daughter dear
A goodly fair portion.
And I will never bear a grudge
For all that thou hast done,
But I will love thee honestly,
And hold thee as a son.”