Young William- Mrs. Matthews (Hants) 1908 Gardiner
[From the George Gardiner Manuscript Collection (GG/1/19/1175)
R. Matteson 2016]
Young William - sung by Mrs. Matthews of Hampshire in Aug.- Sept., 1908 Collector: G.B. Gardiner.
Young William went a-hunting with his dog and his gun,
And at night he went slumbering as evening came on,
Down among the green rushes as evening came on,
Young William shot his own dear love in the room of a swan.
With her apron bound 'round her head she was white as any swan
She sat under a shady tree as a shower came on,
Down among the green rushes as evening came on,
Young William shot his own dear love in the room of a swan.
Young William throwed down his gun and away he did run,
Crying, "Father dear father, can you believe what I have done,"
Down among the green rushes as evening came on,
Young William shot his own dear love in the room of a swan.
At William's trial his father did appear
Here's fifty bright guineas to set my son clear
Down among the green rushes as evening came on,
Young William shot his own dear love in the room of a swan.