The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #165063   Message #3956782
Posted By: Richie
15-Oct-18 - 02:51 PM
Thread Name: Origins: James Madison Carpenter- Child Ballads 5
Subject: RE:Origins:James Madison Carpenter-Child Ballads 5
Hi,

The "Edward" titles found in Carpenter are supplied by collectors and are not local titles. Although Barker knew the title as Edward he was certainly told that was the title. The name appears to have been derived mainly from Percy's title which is likely a recreation.

The following version is from James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/11/91 and is probably from the same time period (early 1940s).

"Edward." Given by Professor Philip Furness of Guilford College, NC from Miss Alice Cummings of Greensboro NC, no date given. This version is from the same general area of Brown A (Elon College, near Greensboro).

1 "How come that blood on your shirt?
My son, pray tell unto me."
"I got it off my bright guinea dog
Who hunts the woods with me."

2. "O isn't it too bright for your bright guinea horse?
My son, pray tell unto me."
"I got it off my bright guinea horse
Who plows the woods with me."

3. "O isn't it too bright for your bright guinea horse
My son, pray tell unto me."
"I got it off my brother's shirt
Who walks the roads with me."

4. "And what were you quarreling about?
My son, pray tell unto me."
We were cutting down a hazelnut bush
That amounts to as hazelnut tree.

5. "And what will you do when this is found out?
My son, pray tell unto me."
"I'll set my foot in a handsome little boat
And sail across the sea."

6. "And what will you do with your handsome little wife?
My son, pray tell unto me."
"I'll set her foot in a handsome little boat
And she'll sail across the sea."

7. "And what will you do with those three little babes?
My son, pray tell unto me."
"I'll leave them at home with my own dear father,
That he'll remember me."

8. "And when will you come back again?
My son, pray tell unto me."
"When the moon shall rise in the north,
And that shall never be."