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Happy Love 169
61 WILLIAM AND NANCY
There is an early version of this ballad entitled 'The Undaunted Seaman, who resolved to fight for his King and Country; Together with His Love's Sorrow-iul Lamentation at their Departure," date about 1690, printed in The Roxburghe Ballads, VII, 550. This version ends with the departure of the lover and the lament of the maiden Some later forms, like B of the Michigan texts, "The Banks of the Nile," which closely resembles Mackenzie B, have the same ending. In many other later forms, however, like Michigan A, the maid dons male attire and accompanies her lover. For a list of many Old World chapbook and broadside texts, as well as several American versions, see Mackenzie, pp. 108-112. See also Scarborough, pp. 317--318; Sharp, II, 139-141; and Stout, p 47.
Version A was communicated in 1916 by Miss Ranetta Frays, Ypsilanti, who obtained the song from Mrs. Culver, Clyde. |
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'Twas on one Monday morning Just at the break of day. Our ship she slipped her cable And boldly sailed away.
The wind it being northeast For Lisbon she was bound. The hills and dales were covered With pretty girls around.
There was one girl amongst them With straight and yellow hair; There was one girl amongst them Whose heart was full of care.
Her mind was on her lover, As you shall understand, For he was going to leave her And sail for foreign lands.
"O stay at home, dear Willie, O stay at home with me; O stay at home, dear Willie, And married we will be." |
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6 "If I should stay at home, love, Another would take my place, |
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