Silver Dagger- Mrs. Mosier (MO) 1927 Randolph
[From Ozark Folksongs II, by Randolph 1946, version B1. This is one six versions Randolph collected of an eleven stanza "composed ballad" usually titled The Silver Dagger. This ballad is based on the traditional ballad story, a collected variant of Silver Dagger was published in 1849, the original (circa 1820) has not been found. Only stanza seven and half of eleven are taken from the traditional versions of North America.
R. Matteson 2016]
B1. "Silver Dagger." Contributed by Mrs. Charles L. Mosier, Pineville, Mo., Feb. 24, 1927.
Both young and old, come pay attention
To these few lines I'm a-going to write,
They're just as true as ever was mentioned
Concerning a fair and beautiful bride.
He courted a fair and handsome lady,
He loved her as he loved his life,
He oft-times vowed while in her presence
That he would make her his lawful wife.
But when his parents came to know it,
They strove to part them night and day,
Saying son, oh son, why be so foolish?
She is too poor, they would oft-times say.
Then down before his father kneeling,
Cried father, father pity me,
Don't deprive me of my whole heart's treasure,
For she is all the world to me.
But when this lady came to know it,
She soon resolved what she would do,
She wandered forth and left the city,
No more her loving friends to view.
She wandered forth by the flowing river,
For three long days in deep despair,
Saying must I stand here a woeful warning,
And must I sink in deep despair.
She then picked up the silver dagger
An' pierced it through her the white breast,
At first she reeled and then she staggered,
Saying goodbye vain world, I'm a-going to rest.
As he came near the lonely thicket,
He thought he heard his true love's voice,
He ran, he ran like one distracted,
Crying love, oh love, I'm afraid you're lost.
She opened her eyes like shining diamonds,
Saying love, oh love, you've come too late,
Prepare to meet me on Mount Zion,
Where all true lovers never part.
He then picked up the bloody dagger,
An' pierced it through his own true heart,
Saying, Let this be a woeful warning
To all who would true lovers part.