Edgar and Ellen

Cat. #0304 (MFH #176) - As sung by Nancy Philley, Fayetteville, Arkansas on December 17, 1958

VERSE 1
One eve as th moon shone brightly
And softly fell th dew
There in a lonely cottage
A jealous quarrel grew

VERSE 2
Said he, to a fair young Ellen
Won't you come and roam with me
We'll watch and wait and wonder
Until our wedding day

VERSE 3
Said she, to her handsome Edgar
I care not for to roam
For roaming is so lonely
Please Edgar, take me home

VERSE 4
In silence there he kissed her
He pressed her to his heart
O Ellen, Ellen, my darling
T'is sad that we must part

VERSE 5
Then, she knelt down beside him
And asked him to spare her life
When into her fair young bossom
He plunged a dagger knife

VERSE 6
O Edgar, I'll forgive you
Although, this be my last breath
I never will deceive you
Till I close my eyes, in death

VERSE 7
Down in a shady valley
Down where th roses bloom
There lies a fair young maiden
Sleeping in her tomb

VERSE 8
I know not how she suffered
We know not how she moaned
But we know, these words were spoken
Please Edgar, take me home

Nancy is a student at the University of Arkansas and said, she learned this song from her Mother.

Variants