Cat. #0064 (MFH #727) - As sung by Mrs. Allie Long Parker, Eureka Springs, Arkansas on April 14, 1958
VERSE 1
Young Charlotte lived on th mountain side
In a wild an' lonely spot
No dwellings there for three miles wide
Except her Fathers cot
VERSE 2
And yet on many a winter'y night
Young swains would gather there
For 'er Father kept a social board
An' she was very fair
VERSE 3
One New Years eve, as th sun went down
For looked her wistfulli
Out from th frosty window pane
As th merry sleighs dashed by
VERSE 4
At th village fifteen miles away
Was to be a ball, that night
Though the air was piercing cold
Her heart was warm and light
VERSE 5
Brightly beamed her laughing eyes
When a well known voice she heard
And dashing up to th cottage door
Her lovers sleigh appeared
VERSE 6
O daughter dear, the Mother said,
This blanket 'round you foll
For it's a dreadful night abroad
You'll catch your death of cold
VERSE 7
O ney, o ney, young Charlotte cried
As she laughed like a gipsy queen,
To ride in blankets muffled up
I never could be seen
VERSE 8
My silken cloak is quite enough
You know it's lined throughout
An' here's my silken scarf
To twine my head and neck about
VERSE 9
Her bonnet and her gloves were on
She stepped into th sleigh
And swift sped down the mountain side
And o'er the hills away
VERSE 10
With muffled beats so silently
Five miles at length were passed
When Charles with few but shivering words
Th silence broke at last
VERSE 11
Such a dreadful night I never saw
My reins I scarce can hold,
Young Charlotte faintly then replied,
I am exceedingly cold
VERSE 12
He cracked his whip, he urged his team
Much faster than before
Until five other dreary miles
In silence were passed o'er
VERSE 13
Spoke Charles, how fast the freezing ice
Is gathering on my brow,
Young Charlotte still more spangly said,
I'm growing warmer now
VERSE 14
Thus on the road and the frosty air
And th glittering cold starlight
Until th lights of th village lamps
And th ballroom came in sight
VERSE 15
They reached the door and Charles sprang out
An' reached his hand to her,
What set you there like a monument
That has no power to steer
VERSE 16
He called her once, he called her twice,
She answered not a word
He asked her for her hand again
But still she never stirred
VERSE 17
He took her hand in his, t'was cold
And hard as any stone
He tore th mantle from her face
While cold stars o'er it shone
VERSE 18
Then quickly to th lighted hall
Her lifeless form he bore
Young Charlotte's eyes had closed for 'er
Her voice was heard no more
VERSE 19
And there he set down by her side
While th bitter tears did flow
An' cried, my own, my charming bride
You never more shall know
VERSE 20
He twined his arms around her neck
An' kissed her marble brow
His thoughts were back to where she said,
I'm growing warmer now