The Shirt of Lace- Patterson (KY) 1908; Niles C
[From Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles, Bramhall House, Bk (1961), p 17. Music upcoming.
R. Matteson 2014]
The Shirt of Lace- Uncle Brother Patterson; Jeffersontown, KY; 1908; (Niles No. 2 C)
1. Oh, water where there is no well,
Viny flow'r and rosemay tree,
Water where there is no well,
What name will my true love tell?
Viny flow'r and rosemay tree.
2. Oh, valley where no sun do fall,
Viny flow'r and rosemay tree,
Valley where no sun do fall,
Grows no crop, no spring, no fall,
Viny flow'r and rosemay tree.
3. If you should wash my linsey dress,
Viny flow'r and rosemay tree,
If you wash my linsey dress,
And hang it in my mother's press,
Viny flow'r and rosemay tree.
4. If you should wash my shirt of lace,
Viny flow'r and rosemay tree,
If you wash my shirt of lace,
Be sure the buttons be in place,
Viny flow'r and rosemay tree.
5. And then my acre, side the sea,
Viny flow'r and rosemay tree,
Then my acre 'side the sea,
Will be halved up, my love, with thee,
Viny flow'r and rosemay tree.