English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians

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	No. 54 The Silk Merchant's Daughter

	pre-vent the day Of mar-riage, they sent this poor young man a - way. 2 O now he is gone for to serve his king, It grieves this lady to think of the thing. She dressed herself up in rich merchant's shape, She wandered away her true love for to seek. 3 As she was a-travelling one day, almost night, A couple of Indians appeared in her sight, And as they drew nigh her, O this they did say: Now we are resolved to take your life away. 4 She had nothing by her but a sword to defend, These barbarous Indians murder intend. But in the contest one of them she did kill Which caused the other for to leave the hill. 5 As she was a-sailing over the tide, She spied a city down by the sea-side. She saw her dear porter a-walking the street, She made it her business her true love to meet. 6 How do you do, sir, where do you belong ? I'm a-hunting a diamond and I must be gone. He says: I'm no sailor, but if you want a man, For my passage over I'll do all I can. 7 Then straightway they both went on board. Says the captain to the young man : What did you do with your sword ? On account of long travel on him she did gaze. Once by my sword my sweet life did save. 186