Georgie- Shinn (WV) pre1970 Bush Vol. 2
[No date given but collected circa 1970. From: Michael E. Bush's Folk Songs of Central West Virginia Vol. 2 pp. 94-95.
R. Matteson 2013, 2016]
Georgie- Sung by H. J. Shinn of Cottageville, W. Virginia; pre1970. Bush Vol. 2
1. When I arrived in Arken's court,
It was in the morning early,
There I spied a pretty fair maid,
Lamenting for her lover. [1]
2. The first that come was a kind old man,
He was looking very sorry;
"If it were in my power, my pretty maid,
I'd save you the life of Georgie."
3. The next that come was a cross old man,
He was looking very angry;
Said, "You've come too late, my pretty fair maid,
For Georgie's condemned already."
4. Georgie never robbed on the King's highway,
Nor did he murder any;
But he stole sixteen of the king's best steeds,
And conveyed them to his lady.
5. Georgie was hung in chains of gold,
Such chains they are not many,
Because he was of royal blood,
And courted a virtuous lady.
6. If I was over in yonder filed,
Ten thousand soldiers 'round me,
It's there I'd fight till the day I die,
For the life of my true love, Georgie.
1. usually Georgie- to rhyme