By a Lover Saved- Staats (WV) 1921 Cox G
[From: Cox, Folk-Songs of the South- 1925. His notes follow.
This seems to be the oldest and is certainly the most unique version of the seven collected by Cox. The golden cup or golden ball is featured in some versions. Clearly the first line was at one time: "Hold up your hands, O Judges," etc. See Sharp A & B for similar versions of Cox G. Frank Proffitt also sang Joshua.
A Captain William Parsons of Hardy County, born Sept. 25, 1760 and the son of Thomas and Mary Rennick Parsons, fought in the Revolution and may be the Parsons referenced below. It would likely have been his grandfather who may have brought the ballad over.
R. Matteson 2012, 2015]
18. THE MAID FREED FROM THE GALLOWS (Child, No. 95)
Seven texts have been secured in West Virginia under various titles. The first six of these texts differ from each other but slightly, and are similar to that printed by Child, v, 296. Text G is fragmentary, and differs from the others in that it states the crime for which the maid is to be hanged (see stanza 2). Of the English versions in Child, the language of the West Virginia texts is most like B. The term "hangman" occurs in Child G only.
The first American copy to be printed was that in Child, v, 296 (from Virginia by way of North Carolina). For texts printed since, see Journal, xxi, 56 (Reed Smith; West Virginia); xxvi, 175 (Kittredge; from an Irish servant in Massachusetts); xxvii, 64 (Reed Smith; South Carolina); xxx, 319 (Kittredge; New York, Missouri, North Carolina; contributed by Reinhard, Belden, and Hart) ; Wyman and Brockway, p. 44 (Kentucky; reprinted by Pound, No. 13); Smith, p. 10 (Virginia); Campbell and Sharp, No. 24 (Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia); cf. Minish MS. (North Carolina); Belden's Missouri collection. Barry gives the tune current in Ireland, from the Hudson MS. (Journal, xxrv, 337). For further references see Journal, xxx, 318. Add Bulletin, Nos. 6, 8-10.
G. "By a Lover Saved." Communicated by Mr. Harold Staats, Ripley, Jackson County, 1921, who writes: "This song was told, or rather sung, to me by some person living on Tug Fork. It is claimed that this song was brought to this country by Captain William Parsons, one of the early settlers. According to legends it was at one time a popular folk song in the British Isles."
1 "Hold up your hands, O Joshua," she cried,
"Wait a little while and see;
I think I hear my own father dear,
Come rambling over the sea."
2. "O father, have you brought any gold for me?
Or any silver to pay my fee?
For I have stolen a golden cup,
And hanging it will be."
3. "No, daughter, no, no, I have no gold for thee,
Nor silver to pay your fee;
For I have come to see you hung,
All on the willow tree."
[Repeat the triad, substituting mother, brother, sister, and true-love for father. The last stanza is as follows:]
15. "Yes, true-love, I have some gold for you,
And silver for to pay your fee;
For I have come for to pay your fee,
And take you home with me."