| Share page | Visit Us On FB |
|
Unhappy Love 73
THE SILVER TIDE
For a version of five stanzas from Nova Scotia and for references see Mackenzie, p. 147. See also Eddy, No. 187. For a text from Scotland of the same length, but with many variations from the Michigan text, see Ord, pp. 472-473.
The present version was written from memory in 1935 by Mr. Lee Jakeway, about fifty years old, near Grattan Center; he learned the song from his father.
r It is of a handsome lady who lived by the seaside,
For form and grace and beauty she was called the village pride, Till at length a young sea captain young Mary's heart did gain; And it's true she proved to Henry while on the raging main.
2 It was in Henry's absence an nobleman there came And courted handsome Mary while she refused the same. "Your vows are vain, for on the main there is one I love,"
she cried, "Therefore begone, I love but one; he is on the silver tide."
3 Moved to desperation this nobleman did say,
"I'll cause your separation, and I'll take your life away. I'll watch you late and early until you alone I'll find, And you will sink or swim far, far from him who is on the silver tide."
4 In two or three days after, he went out to take the air; Down by the foaming ocean he espied this lady fair.
Up spoke this heartless villain, "Consent and be my bride, Or I'll send your body a-floating down on the silver tide."
5 With trembling words young Mary spoke, "My vows I'll
ne'er forsake, I love young Henry dearly and I'll die there for his sake." He bound her with his handkerchief, and he threw her o'er
the side, And he sent her body a-floating down on the silver tide. |
||
|
6 In two or three days after, young Henry returned from sea Expecting to get married, fixed on his wedding day. |
||