Randolph has six versions of "The Drowsy Sleeper." One contains reference to the "silver dagger." Two lines are missing, but enough is given to make Richie's point. The Traditional Ballad Index gives the earliest date for "The Drowsy Sleeper" as 1855, in The Social Harp- first verse only. Randolph says that many English, Scottish and American references are found in JAFL (various issues, 1907-1922) and a number of other American and Canadian texts and references.

THE DROWSY SLEEPER

Arise, arise, you drowsy sleeper,
Arise, arise, it's almost day.
Oh who is there at my bedroom window,
Weeping there so bitterly.

'Tis I, 'tis I, your own true lover,
Weeping there so bitterly,
Oh May dear, go ask your father
If we might wed a bride shall be.

(Two lines missing)
If he says no, just come and tell me,
And I no more will bother thee.

I will not go and ask my father,
For he is slumbering at his rest,
And by his side a silver dagger
To pierce the heart that I love best.

Then May dear, go ask your mother
If we might wed a bride shall be.
If she says no, just come and tell me,
And I no more will bother thee.

I will not go and ask my mother,
For she is slumbering at her rest,
And by her side she behold (sic) a dagger
To pierce the heart that I love best.

Then Willie drew a silver dagger,
And pierced it in his own true heart,
Farewell my love, farewell forever,
Farewell, my love, now we must part.

Then may she drew the bloody weapon, And pierced it through her snow white breast,
Farewell, blind world, farewell forever,
Farewell, blind world, now we must part.

Miss Ollie Murray, Missouri, 1927. Randolph, Ozark Folksongs, vol. I, British Ballads and Songs, pp. 244-249.
Now we must ask ourselves, does "East Virginia" qualify as a distinct song? For practical purposes, it must, otherwise a simple song of two separated lovers, one untrue, and a ballad of bloody gore as the result of the girl's parents refusal to allow a marriage, are put in the same bin. Most song collectors have kept them separate.