Bomberry Brier- Moore (WV) pre1925 Cox B
[From Folk Songs of the South; John Harrington Cox, 1925. His notes follow.
R. Matteson 2016]
88. THE BRAMBLE BRIAR
Two fairly good copies of the ballad have been found in West Virginia under the titles, "The Bamboo Briers" and "The Bomberry Brier." In story they do not differ materially.
For a full discussion of this song, known in England as "In Bruton Town," and its Old World connections see Belden's paper, "Boccaccio, Hans Sachs, and The Bramble Briar" {Publications of the Modern Language Association, xxxiii, 327). See also Journal, xxix, 168; xxxv, 359; Pound, No. 22; Payne, Publications of the Texas Folk-Lore Society, 11 (1923), 6.
B. "The Bomberry Brier." Communicated by Mr. S. L. Moore, Burton, Wetzel County.
1 A rich man once lived near Bridge water,
He had two sons, one daughter fair;
From life to death he did believe in,
To crown his children's life with care.
2 A certain man bound by the mansion,
All for to plow the raging main;
O he was of a fair complexion,
Neat and handsome every limb.
3 On him their sister placed her affections,
Unawares to any of them;
She told the secret to her oldest brother,
Who chanced to see them sport and play.
4 "Now maybe he's of some poor family,
And thinks our sister he will have;
But we 'll put an end to all his courtship,
And quickly send him to his grave."
5 Now to begin their cruel murder,
A game of hunting they must go;
With him they did both coax and flatter,
A game of hunting for to go.
6 When they came near a leafy woodside,
Where harmless birds did sport and play,
At length they came to the bomberry brier,
Where they took his sweet life away.
7 When they came home, their sister asked them,
"What have you done with your servant-man?"
"We lost him in the game of hunting;
No more of him you'll see again."
8 She rose early, early the next morning,
Travelled all day alone, alone, alone;
At length she came to the bomberry brier,
Where his cold body there was thrown.
9 She stayed there three days and nights,
All alone, alone, alone;
Until she felt sharp hunger creeping,
Which did oblige her to go home.
10 When she came home her brothers asked her,
"What makes you look so pale and worn?
The reason is you are offended,
Now why not leave, leave him alone?"
11 "Now maybe you think I'll hide this murder,
But I will do no such a thing;
Now since you've robbed me of my jewel,
For him alone you both shall swing."
12 Now they are confined in prison,
Now they are condemned to die;
And she lay in her chamber weeping,
And giving up herself to die.