Drowsy Pillow -- Silver Dagger (OT2003-3013-001)

Drowsy Pillow -- Silver Dagger (OT2003-3013-001)

Oh My Dear Mary Go Ask Your Mother

Song excerpted from audio recording OT2003-3013, 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.

1964-07-16

en

VFC2003-0007 OT2003-3013-001

Vermont Folklife Center

Drowsy Pillow -- Silver Dagger

Silver Dagger

Folk Music Index (http://www.ibiblio.org/folkindex)

Awake awake ye drowsy sleeper
Awake and listen unto me
There's someone at your bedroom window
A-weeping there most bitterly

Mary rose her head from her downy pillow
To see who was weeping so bitterly
And who did she spy but her own dear Willie
A-weeping under but a willow tree

He said Mary dear go and ask your father
If you my wedded bride will be
If he says no, love return and tell me
And I no more will trouble thee

It is no use to ask my father
For he is on his bed at rest
And by his side lies a shining dagger
To pierce the heart that I love best

Oh Mary dear go ask your mother
If you my wedded bride may be
And if she says no, love return and tell me
And I no more will trouble thee

It is no use to ask my mother
She too intends to set us free
But Willie dear go and court some other
And I no more will trouble thee

And Willie siezed that shining dagger
And pierced it through his aching heart
Saying farewell to all true lover
Adieu adieu we now must part

I can climb the tallest tree love
I can rob the richest man
I can pluck the finest roses
But not the one I love best

Then Mary siezed the blood-stained dagger
And pierced it through her lily-white breast
Saying farewell to her father and mother
Adieu adieu we're both at rest

4:10