The Tennis Balls- Napier (KY) 1913 Niles C
[From: The Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles, 1961. His notes follow. This is likely a ballad recreation, since Niles had a hitherto unknown Child ballad in 1913 why didn't he come forward with this historic find?
R. Matteson 2015]
Incomplete as it is, this text of 5 five-line stanzas was always interesting classroom material. There was a certain charm about the poem, and the students found it humorous. It should be noted, too, that all three examples of No. 49 in this collection come from the same area - two are from Hazard and 49 A is from Whitesburg,which is nearby - and doubtless two of them originate from the same source. Aunt Flory's version, however, differs from the two recorded in Hazard, and it should be remembered that though I met her at Whitesburg, she was born in Mount Sterling, which is on the edge of the Bluegrass country, some distance away.
The Tennis Balls (Niles No. 49 C) As sung by a blacksmith's helper named Gil Napier (pronounced "Napper") in Hazard, Ky., in July of 1913. The music was either lost was not taken down.
'Twas night when our King Henry
Did lay him down to rest.
'Twas morning when he spoke his mind:
"That French King must be pressed, pressed, pressed,
That French King must be pressed.
Refrain: Oh fol-de-lol, oh fol-de-Ioy,
A dolly-down-diddle and a nay-nay-nay."
He called for his lovely page,
His lovely page called he.
"A tribute from the Frenchman
Has long been due me, me, me,
Has long been due me."
(repeat refrain after each verse)
Then went away his lovely page,
He rose so speedily,
And when he came to the King of France
Low fell he on his knee, knee, knee,
Low fell he on his knee.
"My master greets you, greets you, sir.
One ton of gold is due he:
That you will send his tribute soon,
Or sooner him you'll see, see, see,
Or sooner him you'll see."
"Your master is of tender years,
Your master's shift is short.
I'll send him three round tennis balls
That he may learn to sport, sport, sport,
That he may learn to sport."