A Rich Lady- Ammonds (WV) pre 1957 Musick B
[From: Ballads and Folksongs from West Virginia by Ruth Ann Musick; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 70, No. 277 (Jul. - Sep., 1957), pp. 247-261. From the W. A. Ammons collection, Fairview. Spelling left as in the original.
R. Matteson Jr. 2014]
A Rich Lady- This interesting version, called "A Rich Lady," is from the W. A. Ammons collection (see no. 9).
(1) A rich Irish lady, from London she came,
This beautiful creature, called Sally by name;
Her riches was so great that they scarcely could be told,
But her beauty and wisdom was worth all the rest.
(2) A young, wealthy squire there chanced for to be,
And this young, wealthy squire came this lady for to see;
She despisefully used him, denied him with scorn,
But, alas, he will reward her for all she has done.
(3) "My Sally, my Sally, my Sally," said he,
"It's your love and my love, it cannot agree;
Unless that your hatred be turned into love,
I am afraid that your beauty will my ruin prove."
(4) "Oh no, I don't hate you, no other man,
But to say that I loved you, it's more than I can;
So quit your intention and interdiscourse, [1]
For I really won't marry you, unless I am forced."
(5) "No forcer, no forcer, no forcer," cried he; [2]
"It's your love and my love, it cannot agree;
I quit my intention and enter discourse, [1]
For I really won't marry you, if you have to be forced."
(6) About six months after, or scarce so long past,
This beautiful lady was taken sick at last;
She was tangled up in love but she did not know why;
She sent for the young man she once did deny.
(7) "Am I a doctor, you sent for me here?
Or am I that young man you once loved so dear?"
"Oh, yes, you're a doctor can kill or can cure;
Without your assistance I am ruined I am sure."
(8) "Why, Sally, why, Sally, why, Sally," said he,
"Oh, don't you remember since I last courted you?
You laughed at my courtship, my love you did scorn,
But, alas, I'll reward you for all you have done."
(9) "For what's past and gone, Love, forgit and forgive,
And grant your sweet Sally some longer to live."
"I'll never do it, Sally, and that's not the worst;
I'll dance on your grave when you're cold under earth."
(10) She pulled off of her fingers gold diamond rings three,
Saying, "Take these and wear them whilst over me;
And when you're done dancing on Sally, the queen,
Drop your colors, that flying no more to be seen." [3]
(11) Oh, now she is dead as we all might suppose;
She has left some other lady to wear her fine clothes;
She has took up her lodging in banks of cold clay,
And her red, rosy checks are mouldering away.
1. end your discourse
2. forcing
3. See Sharp A and B