English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians

122 Songs and Ballads, and 323 Tunes With Lyrics & sheet Music - online book

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No. 104
Loving Reilly A
2   I'll leave my father's dwelling, forsake my mother's fee, Go through the howling wilderness and married we will be. Her old father followed after them with seven armed men. Overtaken was poor Riley with his lovely Polly Anne.
3   And then next morning early the jailor's son come down, Saying: Rise up, William Riley, your trial is at hand. Before yon bunch of jurors your trial you must stand. I'm afraid you'll suffer sorely by your lovely Polly Anne.
4   Then up spoke an aged lawyer, these words he did say: To hang a man for love, boys, I call it murder-y,
To hang a man for love, boys, 'tis murder you plainly see. O spare the life of Riley, and let him leave his country.
5   Then up spoke her old father, these words he did say:
He's taken from me gold watches, he's taken from me gold rings, He's took a silver brooch pin, 'twas worth a thousand pounds. I'll have the life of Riley, or spend ten thousand pounds.
6   There is a ring amonst the rest I'll have you for to wear. The ring has forty diamonds and plaited with my hair.
O when you wear it, Riley, wear it on your right hand,
And think of my poor broken heart when you're in foreign land.
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