Charley’s Escape- (VT) pre1823 Green Mountain Songster/ Flanders B
[From: Flanders, Ancient Ballads, III, 1963; version B. As taken from The Green Mountain Songster, which was compiled by a Revolutionary War veteran from Sandusky, VT, dated 1823-- which possibly dates back to the 1700s. Many of the US versions, like Charley's Escape above, are related in part or wholly to a broadside ballad in Child's Appendix to Geordie:
"The Life and Death of George of Oxford. To a pleasant tune, called Poor Georgy." Roxburghe Collection, IV, 53, Pepys, II, 150, Jersey, I, 86, Huth, I, 150, according to Mr. J. W. Ebsworth, Roxburghe Ballads, VII, 70, 1890. It was printed for P. Brooksby, whose time Mr. Ebsworth gives as between 1671 and 1692. Here's the first verse:
1 As I went over London Bridge,
All in a misty morning,
There did I see one weep and mourn,
Lamenting for her Georgy.
This opening verse is not present in Child's versions A-L. It's also found in other similar broadsides printed over one hundred years later. It's similar to The Maid’s Lamentation for the Loss of Her Georgy printed by Jennings of London c1809-1815 except for the "happy" ending, where Charley is pardoned.
This version is written in double verses (i.e. verse 1 = verse 1 and 2) so this is a ten verse version. Reprinted first in Flanders' Vermont Folk-Songs and Ballads then in Ancient Ballads.
R. Matteson 2013]
Charley’s Escape- (VT) pre1823; From The Green Mountain Songster published in Vermont in 1823.
1. As I walk’d over London bridge, twas on one morning early,
‘Twas there I spied a gay lady lamenting for her Charley;
Come saddle to me my milk white steed, come bridle to me so early,
That I may go down to my good lord Judge, and plead for the life of Charley.
2. She met the Judge then at his door, she look’d exceeding sorry,
Saying good lord Judge grant me my request, it’s but spare me the life of Charley.
The Judge look’d over his right shoulder, he look’d exceeding sorry,
Saying pretty maid you have come too late, for he’s condemned already.
3. The Judge look’d over his left shoulder, he look’d exceeding straightly,
Saying young man you must die to-day, and the Lord have mercy on ye;
As Charley walk’d through the hall taking his leave of many,
But when he come to his own true love, oh! it grieved him worse than any.
4. Charley never rob’d the king’s highway, nor yet hath he kill’d any,
But he stole sixteen of the king’s fair dears and sold them at Bohema.
I wish I was on yonder hill, where kisses I’ve had many,
With a good broadsword all drawn in my hand, I’d fight for the life of Charley.
5. When Charley sat on the gallows high, with the silken cord about him,
This fair maid said that she must die for she could not live without him.
The Judge took her by the lilly white hand and led her to the parlour,
Saying pretty maid he is pardon’d, now go, you’re welcome to your Charley.