The Silver Dagger- F. Fitzgerald (VA) 1918 Sharp MS
[From Sharp's MSS. V. Williams Collection online.
This is the composed ballad usually title Silver Dagger. one version was published in 1849 in NY.
R. Matteson 2016]
The Silver Dagger - Sung by Florence Fitzgerald of Afton, Virginia on April 25, 1918; Collector: Sharp, Cecil J.
O come young men and pay attention,
To those few lines I'm going to write,
They're just as true as ever mentioned,
Concerning a beau and beauty bright.
He courted her for to be his darling,
He loved her as he did his life,
He promised her in vows most solemn,
To make her his lawful wife.
And when his parents came to know this
They sought to part them night and day,
To part him from his own dear jewel,
She's poor, she's poor they'd often say.
and when this lady came
She wandered forth; What shall I do?
She wandered forth
no more her love could pleasant view.
Down on her bended knees before him,
Crying: Father pity me
For I to her in vows most solemn
That my own lawful wife she'd be.
She wandered up the pleasant river
and there for death she did prepare,
Saying: I'll end this useless mourning
For I am sunk in deep despair.
Then she pulled out the silver dagger
and pierced it through her snow-white breast,
And first she reeled and then she staggered,
Crying: O my love I'm going to rest.
Her true love being but a very short distance
He thought he heard his darling's voice,
He ran, he ran like one distracted
Crying: O my love I fear you're lost
Then he picked up the bloody body
and covered it all up in his arms
Saying: There's no gold nor friends can save you,
O must you die all in your charms
Like evening stars her eyes came open
Saying: What can this be?
Prepare to meet me on Mount Sion,
Where all our love complete will be.
But curs-ed be both gold and silver;
If not for that I would have been your bride;
But now farewell since all is over,
And in his arms she quickly died.
Then he picked up the bloody weapon,
And pierce it through his tender heart
Say: Let this be a solemn warning
To all who cause true loves to part.