The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #124927   Message #2762361
Posted By: Dave Ruch
08-Nov-09 - 05:40 PM
Thread Name: Why does the song end like this?-Young Billy Brown
Subject: Why does the song end like this?
I posted this a few days ago under a different thread title, but I'm not sure many people read it, so here goes again....

I know that the Watersons have recorded a version of this song (as "Young Billy Brown"), and it seems to be fairly uncommon in tradition. I've just discovered a version from the Catskill Mountains of New York State, sung by traditional singers George and Dick Edwards (cousins) in 1941, and titled "Charles Grey" (text below, audio here: Charles Grey)

I find the tune to be very compelling, and I'd love to work up a version of it, but my problem is that the end is just so unsatisfying. It makes no sense to me that she'd end up taking this position, based on what we know about this guy.

Thoughts?

CHARLES GREY
as sung by Dick Edwards and George Edwards of the Catskill Mountains, New York State 1941

It was a hard hearted fellow, Charles Grey he proved to be, he took me from my parents and home
He took me from my parents, bid adieu to them all, and he left me in this wide wide world alone

He took me by the lily white hand, he led me 'cross the garden so green
And what was done there I never shall declare, but the green leaves are plain to be seen

It's about six months from that very day, the young man he came riding by
You see young man I have a child by thee and the very same thing you can't deny

Perhaps you may have a child by me, perhaps may be another man
If you have a child by me, tell me the where and the when

Yes I can tell you the where and the when, the very same hour and time
And if you don't marry to me a poor girl, then in prison I'll have you confined

He promised to marry, marry marry me, the very next dawning of the day
But instead of getting married to me a poor girl, he took ship and he sailed far away

Now perhaps his poor body lies drowned in the deep, perhaps he lies floating o'er the waves
Perhaps his poor body is drowned in the deep, and no more will I see him again

But if he ever, if he ever, he comes this way again, his curly curly locks I'll unfold
I never shall chastise him for using of me so, but encourage him for being so bold.