| Play/Download Music File Lesley Nelson |
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| William Barrett collected this song from a member of the crew of a schooner during a trip in 1877. His note states that it was "printed by all the balladmongers in the kingdom." It is also known as The Banks of the Sweet Dundee.
Cecil Sharp collected several versions in the Applachian Mountains and the song appears in collections of ballads from Nova Scotia. |
It's of a farmer's daughter, So beautiful I'm told, Her parents died and left her Five hundred pounds in gold She lived with her uncle, The cause of all her woe, And you shall hear this maiden fair Did prove his overthrow. Her uncle had a ploughboy Young Mary loved full well, And in her uncle's garden Their tales of love would tell And there was a wealthy squire Who oft came her to see, But still she loved her ploughboy On the banks of sweet Dundee. It was one summer's morning Her uncle went straightway, He knocked at her bedroom door, And thus to her did say- Come, rise up, pretty maiden, A lady you may he, The squire's waiting for you On the banks of sweet Dundee. A fig for all your squires, Your lords and dukes likewise, My William's hand appears To sue like diamonds in my eyes. Begone unruly female, You ne'er shall happy be, For I mean to banish William From the banks of sweet Dundee. Her uncle and the squire Rode out one summer's day; Young William he's in favour, Her uncle he did say Indeed 'tis my intention To tie him to a tree, Or else to bribe the press-gang On the banks of sweet Dundee. The press-gang came to William When he was all alone, He boldly fought for liberty, But they were three to one The blood did flow in torrents- Come, kill me now said he, I would rather die for Mary On the banks of sweet Dundee. This maid was one day walking, Lamenting for her love, She met the wealthy squire Down in her uncle's grove He put his arms around her; Stand off, base man, said she You sent the only lad I love From the banks of sweet Dundee. He clasped his arms around her, And tried to throw her down, Two pistols and a sword she spied Beneath his morning gown. Young Mary took the weapons, His sword he used so free, But she did fire, and shot the squire On the banks of sweet Dundee. Her uncle overheard the noise, He hasten'd to the ground Since you have killed the squire, I'll give you your death-wound; Stand off, then, said young Mary Undaunted I will be. The trigger she drew, and her uncle slew, On the banks of sweet Dundee. The doctor soon was sent for, A man of noted skill, Likewise came his lawyer, For him to make his will. He will'd his gold to Mary, Who fought so manfully, And now she lives quite happy On the banks of sweet Dundee. |
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| From English Folk-Songs See Bibliography for full information. |
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