False Lover John- Corney McDaid (Don) 1985 REC
[From a recording made at Corney McDaid's house, Buncrana, Co. Donegal. ITMA Reference Number: 166-ITMA-MP3; Jimmy McBride Collection. Audio Cassette 43,
R. Matteson 2018]
False Lover John- sung by Corney McDaid of Buncrana, Co Donegal, 1985.
Oh false lover John he courted me for every hour in the day
He courted me until such a degree as I hadn’t one word to say
It’s take in all your father’s gold and all your mother’s money
And steal the keys of your father’s stable with thirty steeds and three
She took in all of her father’s gold and all her mother’s money
She stole the keys of her father’s stable with thirty steeds and three
She mounted on a white milk steed rode on by the clear silver light of the moon
And they rode on to the river bank where there they did get down
It’s lie you here Miss Magdelene this night along with me
For here I drowned seven king’s daughters the eighth one shall be you
It’s take you off those lovely clothes and leave them on dry land
For they were too fine and costly for to rot on the salt sea sand
It’s turn you round false John she says and view the green leaves on the tree
For it ill becomes a naked maid a naked man to see
False lover John he turned around to view the green leaves on the tree
When she clasped her arms around his body and flung him into the sea
It’s lie you there false John she said a long death you may die
For you thought you’d drown me as I was born and take my clothes away
Then reach me in your noble hand and bring me to dry land
And there’s not a vow that I ever made but I’ll double them all in one
She mounted on her white milk steed rode on by the clear silver light of the moon
And she rode on to the castle gate where there she did get down
She put the steed in til the stable the money in where it lay
And there weren’t a lord all in the castle knew Miss Magdelene away.
Out speaks the noble parrot from its cage in where he lay
Saying what did I tell you Magdelene before you went away.
It’s hold your tongue my little parrot and tell no tales on me
And your cage will be made of beech and gold instead of a hazel tree.
Out speaks the noble king from his chamber in where he lay
Saying what did disturb my little parrot that rattles so long before day.
The cats they are at my back door all for to worry me
And I was calling on Magdelene to scare these cats away.
When maids are young they do sleep sound and can’t be wakened by thee
So sleep you on my noble king for the cats are scared away.