Fair Charlotte

Cat. #1498 (MFH #727) - As sung by Lula Davis, Fayetteville, Arkansas on February 14, 1963

VERSE 1
Fair Charlotte lived on th mountain side
In a wild an' lonely spot
There was not a house for miles around
Except her Father's cat

VERSE 2
T'was Christmas eve an' th sun was low
As she cast a wistful eye
An' to th window she did go
To watch th sleighs go by

VERSE 3
At last, she saw a familiar sleigh
Come dashing to th door
An' scarcely could she hear, Charles voice
So loud th wind did roar

VERSE 3
O, daughter dear, her Mother said
This blanket 'round fold
There's a deadly storm abroad tonight
You will catch your death of cold

VERSE 5
Fair Charlotte smiled an' said, I look
Just like a gypsy queed
To ride in blanket folded 'round
I never could be seen

VERSE 6
My cloak an' bonnet, are enough
For their both lined throughout
Besides I have a silken scarf
To twine my neck about

VERSE 7
Her cloak an' bonnet soon were on
As she stepped into th sleigh
An' over hill an' dale, they sped
Towards a tavern far away

VERSE 8
Such a storm, says Charles, I never saw
These lines I scarcely can hold
An' Charlotte whispered, these few words
I'm growing very cold

VERSE 9
He cracked th whip an' urged th team
Much faster than before
An' over hill an' dale, they sped
And loud th wind did roar

VERSE 10
Such a night, said Charles, I never saw
It's freezing on my brow
While Charlotte whispered, once again
I'm growing warmer now

VERSE 11
They drove up to th tavern door
An' Charles jumped out an' said,
Why set you there like a monument
Sure you're not dead

VERSE 12
He asked her once, he asked her twice
He asked her three times more
He took 'er by th hand, O God
T'was cold, t'warm no more

VERSE 13
T'was then he knelt down by her side
He kissed her marble brow
An' his thoughts went back to where she said,
I'm growing warmer now

VERSE 14
Come all you vain an' silly girls
You folks, you must obey
An' n'er forget this fair young maid
Who froze t' death in th sleigh

Variants