Starlight Tragedy (OT2003-3011-007)

Starlight Tragedy (OT2003-3011-007)

A Maiden's Romance

The Rustic Young Damsel

Song excerpted from audio recording OT2003-3011, part of VFC2003-0007 Margaret MacArthur Collection.

Margaret MacArthur Collection -- VFC2003-0007. Vermont Folklife Center Archive, Vermont Folklife Center, Middlebury, Vermont, United States of America.

1963-08

en

VFC2003-0007 OT2003-3011-007

Vermont Folklife Center

Starlight Tragedy

A long time ago, I remember it well,
In a neat little village a maiden did dwell;
She lived all alone with her parents serene,
Her age it was red and her hair was sixteen.

And in that neat village he lover did dwell,
A bandy-back ruffian and hump-legged, as well;
Said, "Ye fly with me, by the light of yon star,"
"For you are the eye of my apple, you are."

"I cannot fly with you," the maiden replied,
"My father would scratch out your nails with his eyes"
"If you love me, you will not lead me to disgrace"
Said she, then she buried her hands in her face.

And when she refused him, he knocked down the maid,
And he silently opened the knife of his blade,
He cutted the throat of that maiden so fair,
And dragged her along by the head of her hair.

Just then the maid's father came into the pier,
And viewed the sad sight with his eyes in his tears;
He knelt down beside her, and her fair face he kissed,
Then he rushed with his nose at the murderer's fist.

2:00