The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #163826 Message #3926503
Posted By: Richie
22-May-18 - 08:24 PM
Thread Name: Origins: James Madison Carpenter- Child Ballads 2
Subject: RE: Origins: James Madison Carpenter- Child Ballads 2
Hi,
Of course the most absurd and unbelievable version has been supplied by Baring-Gould as his "A version." It's from Sabine Baring-Gould Manuscript Collection (SBG/1/2/220)- 2 pages as: The Masterpiece of Love Songs [A]. According to Baring-Gould The Masterpiece of Love Songs was "Taken down by F.W. Bussell from William Nankivel," no date but Baring Gould supplies this info about the informant in his notes for another song: "William Nankivel, an aged quarryman, who for years lived under Roos Tor, on the River Walla above Merrivale Bridge (Devon), absolutely illiterate, but with a memory laden with songs." Baring-Gould also supplies another melody for Masterpiece that was "Taken down from Sam Fone of Mary Tavy, by F.W.B., Dec. 23 1892."
No other versions of "Masterpiece" have been collected and it's very suspicious that Sam Fone would sing a version and no text is provided. Whether Nankivel sang a fragment that was recreated by Baring-Gould is unknown, clearly Baring-Gould knew Masterpiece but did not include the original text as a version-- as he usually did. The odds that this is a recreation are high and unless Bussel's original is found-- this cannot be considered legitimate. The language and radical changes found in this version, in my opinion, could not be found in tradition.
The Masterpiece of Love Songs [A]. "Taken down from 'Old Capul', W. Nankivell, Merrivale Bridge. clearly corrupt in metre, & lacking a last verse."
1. There was a gallant Forester, Who chased the king’s deer, He was a man of spirit bold, And loved a lady dear, “O prithee harken fair Lady, My suit do you approve, |: For I am in affection deep, Toss’d to and fro in love.” :|
2. “My father is a nobleman I do thus answer thee And I am match for any lord Of any high degree.” “Both you & I, my lady sweet From Adam came & Eve, One loving word from your sweet lips, To me is a reprieve.”
3. “My father is a haughty man, An Earl of high Estate And many gallant gentlemen Upon his pleasure wait. That I should wed a forester He never would agree, So mount your horse, good forester And ride away from me.”
4. “O pretty lady fair & sweet No warning will I take. My life I gladly will lay down All for thy dear sake.” “Then set thee on thy saddle high And I with thee will ride, Unto the Church, & there indeed I’ll make the my dear Bride.”
5. He set her on his milk white steed And he rode her before He spurr’d along the King’s highway, Of miles they were a score. And as they rode along the way Her father she did spy. Alack! alack! the Lady said One or both soon shall die.
6. “Thy father, maid, I do not fear Nor all his men beside, The church is but a mile before, Where you shall be my bride.” Nor whip nor spur was stinted then He never did give o'er, Until the rein, the Forester, He drew at the Church door.
7. The Earl he came a riding up As fast as he could hie, With six & twenty gentlemen All in his company. “Come on, come on the Forester said, It is no time to prattle I see by all your shining swords, That you’re prepared to battle.
8. The wedding bells were ringing out He stood against the wall “Come on! come on! my gallant Earl, Your merry men & all!” To right, to left his sword did smite And many there were slain, The lady by the Churchyard wall His horse held by the rein.
9. O then out spake the noble Earl, “Stay, stay & hold thy hand. I’ll give my daughter unto you, Five thousand too in land. “Strike on! strike on!” the lady said The portion is too small!” And still she held the horse she’d rode Hard by the Churchyard wall.
10. “Now stay, now stay,” the Earl he said, And let your will be done. And I will give my daughter dear A goodly fair portion. And I will never bear a grudge For all that thou hast done, But I will love thee honestly, And hold thee as a son.” * * * *