Rich Lady from London- Long (MS) c.1863 Hudson A
[From Ballads and Songs from Mississippi by Arthur Palmer Hudson; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 39, No. 152 (Apr. - Jun., 1926), pp. 93-194. Hudson on the advice of Louise Pound includes his two versions under Child 295. The approximate date is 1863 when the informant was a child (see family history below). Here are the family notes on the informant, certainly this could date back to the 1700s through Alex Long (her grandfather) who was born in 1780 in Ireland or her maternal grandfather born in England in 1750.
R. Matteson 2014]
Bynum: I make grateful acknowledgment to Miss Mary Ila Long, without whose assistance this collection could not have been made.
Miss Long's mother, Mrs. Theodosia Bonnett Long, who is now seventy years old, is a typical ballad singer. She still sings many that she learned during childhood from her mother, Mrs. Martha Long Bonnett. The latter was born in South Carolina, in 1818, of English and Irish ancestry. She had a deep religious and poetic nature, which made her a most unusual woman. She was the author of several Civil War songs. The father of Mrs. Bonnett was Alex Long, who was born about 1780 of native Irish parentage. He was a skilled mechanic, and a very versatile and interesting man. He, also, had a gift for poetry and music. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Martha Long Bonnett was Elijah Ivey, who was born in England about 1750 and spent his youth in that country. At the age of seventeen he left England to come to America. Soon atferwards he fought in the Revolution. He became a large plantation owner and was held in high esteem. He was noted for his kindly disposition and his religious and musical temperament. In all probability he transmitted some of the English and Scottish popular ballads in this collection.
Mrs. Theodosia Bonnett Long sang a number of the ballads to Mr. Bynum while he wrote them down.
10. THE RICH LADY FROM LONDON. Communicated by Mr. G. E. Bynum, who obtained it from Mrs. Barnett of Lee County. For note on Mrs. Barnett, see "Lord Thomas and Fair Annet." In Cox, No. 114, there is a full note on this ballad.
1. There was a rich lady, from London she came,
A very rich lady called Sally by name.
Her riches were more than this world could possess;
Her beauty was more than any tongue can express.
2. There was a young squire worth a thousand a year;
To court this fair damsel, away he did steer.
Her being so lofty and her portion so high,
On this young man she would scarce cast an eye.
3. "O Sally, O Sally, and Sally," said he,
"I'm afraid your beauty my ruin shall be;
I'm afraid that your beauty my ruin shall prove,
Unless all your hatred will turn into love!"
4. "I do not hate you nor any other man,
But to say that I love you is more than I can.
I never will have you unless I am forced.
I beg you to retire and end your discourse."
5. Before six months had come, gone, and passed,
This beautiful damsel in love she was cast.
In love she was cast, and she knew not for why.
She sent for this young man she had slighted so high.
6. Oh, this young man he came in great speed.
"Oh, where does the pain pierce you, in the side or the head?"
"Oh, my dearest one, the place you've not guessed!
The pain that doth pierce me lies deep in my breast!"
7. "Am I the doctor, that made you send for me ?
Or am I the cause of your misery ?"
"Yes, you are the doctor, that you can accure, [1]
And without your assistance, I'm ruined, I am sure."
8. "O Sally, O Sally!" and "Sally!" said he,
"Don't you remember when you slighted me ?
And don't you remember you slighted me with scorn?
And now I reward you for things past and gone."
9. "For things past and gone, I hope you'll forgive
And grant me some longer a time for to live."
"I'll never forgive you whilst I have breath,
And I'll dance on your grave when you're laid in the earth!"
10. She pulled the rings from her fingers, one, two, by three,
Saying, "Wear these for my sake while you're dancing on me,
For I have forgiven, although you won't me.
Ten thousand times over my folly I see!"
1. cure