Lady Margaret- Kent (Cape Broyle NL) 1950s Leach
[From MacEdward Leach and the Songs of Atlantic Canada (online). In 1949, 1950, and 1951, MacEdward Leach made three trips to Atlantic Canada with a recording machine. This was recorded in 1950 or 1951. Notes and a bio from the site follow.
An additional version, a composite taken from Peacock's recordings of Kent and stanzas from other informants from Newfoundland, is also found on my site.
R. Matteson 2015]
Michael Kent was born at Cape Broyle on November 23, 1904, the eldest son of Rose and John Kent. When he was ten years old, he went fishing with his father in a dory. In 1940, Mike went to Scotland to work with the forestry unit. He also worked at the American military base in St. John's and Goose Bay. His last job was in LaManche Provincial Park. He married Ester Mackey in November 1948. Some time after that they bought the house in the meadow next to Jim and Matilda Rice. Mike and Essie lived in this house, which had originally been owned by Mary Whalen and family (who also sang for Leach), until their deaths.
Mike loved good times and was a great entertainer. He sang, danced, played harmonica and recited. He claimed he knew 300 songs. One of his favourites was "The Tree on the Hill," and his most memorable character performance was of Tim Finnegan in Finnegan's Wake. Mike performed this at local concerts.
Mike was an extraordinary individual whose unforgettable character was known all along the Southern Shore. Stories about him abound. (Biography by Carolyn Hawkins.)
Mike was also recorded by Peacock in 1951 and 1952. He was Leach's most prolific source in Cape Broyle, recording many songs and four harmonica tunes. He was also the neighbor of Jim Rice, another prolific singer who worked with both Leach and Peacock.
Lady Margaret- Performed by Mike Kent Accession # 78-054 NFLD 1 Tape 10 Track 2 and Tape 10A Track 6
Community: Cape Broyle Audio: Version I; Version II
Version I
[Sound sample: Listen to Mike Kent sing last verse]
Lady Margaret was sitting in her own lone home,
That was built of lime and stone,
Lady Margaret was sitting in her own lone home,
When she heard a dead man moan.
"Is it my father," Lady Margaret cried,
"Or is it my brother John,
Or is it my own true love Knight Willie,
From Scotland late has come.
"Did you bring to me any token of love,
Did you bring to me any ring,
Did you bring to me any token at all,
That a true love ought to bring?"
"I have brought to you no token of love,
Or I brought to you no ring,
But I brought to you my white winding sheet
That, my body was buried in."
"Oh where is this fine yellow hair,
That once you used to wear?"
"If you were dead as long as me,
Your hair would be just the same."
She took her underskirts one by one,
Just about her knee,
And over the hills on a cold winter's night,
Keeping a dead man's company.
She took a cross out from of her bosom,
And she smoted him on the breast,
Saying, "Here's a token for you Knight Willie,
God grant you a happy night's rest."
"I am thankful to you Lady Margaret," he cried,
"I am thankful unto you,
If the dead are bound to pray for the living,
Then I'm bound to pray for you."
Version II
Lady Margaret was sitting in her own lone home,
That was built of lime and stone,
Lady Margaret was sitting in her own lone home,
When she heard a dead man's moan.
"Is it my father," Lady Margaret cries,
"Or is it my brother John,
Or is it my own true loved Knight Willie,
From Scotland late has come?
"Did you bring to me any token of love,
Did you bring to me any ring,
Did you bring to me any token at all,
That a true love ought to bring?"
I have brought to you no token of love
Or I brought to you no ring,
But I brought to you my white winding sheet,
That my boy was buried in."
"Oh, where is the fine yellow hair,
That once you used to wear?"
"If you were dead as long as me,
Your hair would be just the same."
She took her underskirts one by one,
Just about her knee,
And over the hills on a cold winter's night,
Keeping a dead man's company.
They walked and they talked,
Walked and they talked till the cocks began to crow,
"It's time for the dead and the living to part,
Lady Margaret I must go."
"Is there any room at your head," she said,
"Is there any room at your feet,
Is there any room about you at all
Where I may take a sleep?"
"My father's at my head," he said,
"And my mother is at my feet,
And there's three hellhounds about my side,
Where my poor soul should be.
"One is for my drunkenness,
And the other is for my pride,
And the other is the loving of a fair pretty maid,
And staying out late by night."
She took a cross all from her bosom,
And she smoted him on the breast,
Saying, "Here's a token for you Knight Willie,
God grant you a happy night's rest."
"I'm thankful to you Lady Margaret he said,
"I am thankful unto you,
If the dead were bound to pay for the living,
Then I am bound to pray for you."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes
Sources: Child ballad #74; Mercer 143 ("Sweet William's Ghost"); Peacock, 390-95, publishes six versions. Recorded on Songs of the Newfoundland Outports and Labrador (2003). History: This ballad may emanate from Scandinavia; in Denmark it is known as "Faestemanden I Graven" and in Sweden as "Sorgens Magt." Peacock also notes a similar German ballad, "Der Todte Freier" (Peacock 392). It dates to the early 17th century and was disseminated on broadsides since the late 17th. It was rewritten, possibly by David Mallet, in a literary style in some 18th century sources, used in various vernacular theatre productions, and adapted to a tune known as "Montrose's Lilt."
Text notes: In this version, the ghost of William comes to Lady Margaret and they spend the night.
Tune notes: Both performers on this site (and the Peacock recording referenced above) use the same major-key melody in quadruple metre (with some variation in 10/2). "Abbc" form.