Charming Beauty Bright

Cat. #0506 (MFH #89) - As sung by Mr. Joe Walker, Berryville, Arkansas on February 9, 1960

VERSE 1
I used to court a lady
A lady beauty bright
An' there's where I cast
My own hearts delight
I courted her for love
Her love I did obtain
An' I know for this reason
She could not complain

VERSE 2
Away to th army
I thought I would go
To see if I could forget
My own true love or no
For seven long years
I served my old king
After seven long years
I returned home again
My heart was filled with grief
My eyes being filled with tears
Hoping just to get one
More sight of my dear

VERSE 3
An' when her ole Mother
Saw me coming
She wrung her hand an' cried
Saying, my daughter loved you dearly
An' for your sake, she died
Then I was struck
Like a true lover slain
An th' thears fell from my eyes
Like showers of rain
Saying, my grief
O, my grief I cannot bear
My true loves in her grave
An' I wish't I were there

(Joe tells about his running away from home when he was about 12 years old)

Variants