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260 Indiana University Publications, Folklore Series
50 WILLIAM REILLY
The story of William Reilly is told in three ballads: 1. "William Keilly's Courtship"; 2. "Rally's Trial"; and 3. "Reilly's Answer, Release-ment, and Marriage with Coleen Bawn." The Indiana text seems to be a variant of the second, which begins with Coleen's offer to elope, tells of William's imprisonment and trial, and ends with the sweetheart's request that he wear her ling when he is transported.
For other American texts and references, see Barry, No. 54; Belden, No. 81; Campbell and Sharp, No. 104; Cox, p. 336; Greenleaf and Mansfield, p. 184; Pound, No. 38; Shearin and Combs, p. 13; Thomas, p. 166; Creighton, Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotiat p. 152.
British: JFSS, III, 133; O'Conor, Old Time Songs and Ballads of Ireland, p. 86,
"Willie Beilly." Contributed by Mrs. Mayme C. Waller, of Winslow, Indiana. Pike County. Obtained from her mother, Mrs. A. W. Corn. June 16, 1935.
1. "0 rise up, Willie Reilly, and come along with me;
I mean for to go with you and leave this countrie.
I'll leave my father's dwelling, his houses and his land,
And I'll go with Willie Reilly, he's my dear Coleen Bawn."1
2. Over lofty hills and mountains, along the lonesome dales, Through shady groves and fountains, rich meadows and
sweet vales, We climbed the ragged woods, and rid o'er silent lawn, But I was overtaken with my dear Coleen Bawn.
3. They hurried me to prison, my hands and feet they bound, Confined me like a murderer with chains unto the ground. But this hard, cruel treatment most cheerfully I'll stand; Ten thousand deaths I'd suffer for my dearest Coleen Bawn.
4. In came the jailor's son and to Reilly he did say, "Rise up, unhappy Reilly, you must appear today,
Proud Squire Falliard's anger and power to withstand; I fear you'll suffer sorely for your dear Coleen Bawn."
1 This line is oinriousJy incorrect, as CoJeen is the speaker. Cf. Greenleaf and Mansfield's "And away goes Willy Eeilly, and his dear Coleen Bawxu** |
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