The Derry Dems of Arrow

Cat. #0307 (MFH #129) - As sung by Mrs. Lola Stanley, Fayetteville, Arkansas on December 30, 1958

VERSE 1
I knew a lady of th north
A fair, a fair, o was she
She was courted by nine noble cowboys
On th derry dems of arrow

VERSE 2
Her Father hired a noble cowboy
She loved him, she did dearly
She dressed him up as a noble man
And sent him away to arrow

VERSE 3
As he rode over those high, high hills
Those high, high hills and valleys
These nine noble men was waiting his coming
On th derry dems of arrow

VERSE 4
There's nine of you an' one of me
No taller, slender, bravery
I'll fight you all, it's one by one
On th derry dems of arrow

VERSE 5
It's three he slew and three they flew
And two he left them wounded
Her brother Jim, slipped up behind
And pierced his heart, on arrow

VERSE 6
Go home, go home, you false hearted lad
And tell your sister, Saro
Her sweetheart John, got killed last night
On th derry dems of arrow

VERSE 7
She went to bed, it was early that night
And rose before th morrow
O, Father dear, I had a dream last night
I'm afraid it will bring to me sorrow

VERSE 8
O, daughter dear, I will read your dream
I will read it all for sorrow
Your sweetheart John, got killed last night
On th derry dems of arrow

VERSE 9
She run her hands all thru her hair
Her jewels being many
She pulled them off, a laid them down
And started away for arrow

VERSE 10
As she rode over those high, high hills
Those high, high hills and valleys
Until she came to her sweetheart John
Got killed last night on arrow

VERSE 11
She washed his face and combed his hair
And wiped away her weeping tears
An' laid him it's, all in his grave
On th derry dems of arrow

VERSE 12*
O, daughter dear, dry up your tears
And weep no more for sorrow
I'll lead you to a better lad
Than th one you lost on arrow

VERSE 13
O, Father dear, seven sons have you
You may wed them all tomorrow
But th very ole bloom, that sprung in June
Is th one I lost on arrow

*Mrs. Stanley started to sing this verse, but got mixed up and added it to the last of the song, on the tape. I have put it where she said it belonged.

Variants