This variation of YOUNG CHARLOTTE [Frozen Girl]
was sent to me recently

*YOUNG CHARLOTTE Version in DIGITAL TRADITION*

YOUNG CHARLOTTE

Young Charlotte lived by the mountainside, in a wild and lonely spot
No dwelling there for three miles around, except her father's cot
And yet on many a winter's night, young swains would gather there
For her father kept a social board and she was very fair

Her father like to see her dressed, as fine as a city belle
For she was the only child he had and he loved his daughter well
It was New Year's Eve, the sun had set, why looks her anxious eye
So long from the frost window forth, as the merry sleighs pass by?

At the village inn, fifteen miles off, there's a merry ball tonight
The piercing air is as cold as death, but her heart is warm and light
But, ah, how laughs her beaming eye, as a well known voice she hears
And dashing up to the cottage door, young Charles with sleigh appears

"O daughter dear!" her mother said, "This blanket round you fold
For it is a dreadful night abroad and you'll get your death of cold"
"Nay, mother, nay" fair Charlotte said and she laughed like a gypsy queen:
"To ride in blankets muffled up, I never can be seen"

My silken cloak is quite enough, it is lined throughout you know,
Besides I have a silken scarf, which around my neck to throw"
Her gloves were on, her bonnet tied, she jumped into the sleigh
And away they ride by the mountainside and o'er the hills away

There is life in the sound of the merry bells, as o'er the hills they go
What a creaking noise the runners make, as they bite the frozen snow
With muffled faces silently, o'er five long miles they pass
When Charles with these frozen words, the silence broke at last

Such a night as this I never saw, the reins I scarce can hold
When Charlotte, shivering, faintly said, "I am exceedingly cold"
He cracked his whip and urged his team, more swiftly than before
Until five other dreary mile, in silence were passed o'er

"O see," said Charles, "How fast the frost is gathering on my brow"
when Charlotte in a feeble voice said, "I am growing warmer now"
And on they ride through the frosty air and the glittering cold starlight
Until at last the village inn, and ballroom are in sight

They reached the inn and Charles jumped out and held his arms to her
"Why sit you like a monument, without the power to stir?"
He called her once, he called her twice, she answered not a word
He called her by her name again, but still she never stirred

He took her hand in his, O God, 'twas cold and hard as stone
He tore the mantle from her brow and on her the cold stars shone,
And then into the lighted hall, her lifeless fore he bore
For Charlotte was a frozen corpse and words spoke never more

He sat himself down by her side and the bitter tears did flow
And he said, "My young intended bride, I nevermore shall know"
He threw his arms around her neck and kissed her marble brow
And his thoughts went back to where she said, "I'm growing warmer now"

He bore her out into the sleigh and with her he drove home
And when he reached the cottage door, oh how her parents mourned
They mourned the loss of their daughter, dear, while Charles mourned o'er their gloom
Until with grief his heart did break and they slumber in one Tomb

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I moved this message here from another thread on the same topic.
-Joe Offer-