Old-Country Ballads in Missouri. "Geordie."
by H. M. Belden
The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 20, No. 79 (Oct. - Dec., 1907), pp. 319-320
OLD-COUNTRY BALLADS IN MISSOURI - "GEORDIE"
THE following version of Geordie (Child, 209) is in James Ashby's MS. ballad book, but was overlooked when I sent in the Missouri versions of ballads found in Child.[1] It is apparently a reduction by oral transmission of the broadside of "George of Oxford," printed by Child in the Appendix to No. 209 (iv, 141 f.).
THE LIFE OF GEORGIA
As I was going over Muldars Bridge
It was in the Morning early
I heard a fair damsel lamenting and say
Lord spair me the life of Georgia.
Go bridle up my milk white steed
And sadle him up so gayly
That I may ride to the Kings castle town
And plead for the life of Georgia.
She rode all day she rod all night
Untill she was wet and weary
And Combing back her fine yellow hair
Pleading for the life of Georgia.
Pulling out a purse of gold
Saying unto the lawyers
Lawyers lawers fee yourselvs
But spair me the life of Georgia
Says Georgia unto the Layers
I never murdered any
But I stold sixteen of the Kings white steeds
And sold them in Bohema
Says the Layers unto Georgia
Lord I feel so sorry for you
But your own confession has condended you to die
May the Lord have mercy on you
Georgie shall be hung with a golden chain
If it cost ten thousand guineas
Because he came of a royal race
And corted a virtuous Lady
As he walked up and down the streets
And he bid farewell to many
And he bid farewell to his own dear girl
Which grieved him more than any
I wish I was on Londons shore
Where work and money is plenty
With a sword and pistol by my side
I would fight for the life of Georgia
Dark so dark
H. M. Belden.
1 See Nos. lxxiv and lxxv of the Journal of American Folk-Lore