Lyr Add: Will Ray

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Will Ray
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 19 May 10 - 04:06 PM

From Tales and Songs of Southern Illinois by Charles Neely, John Webster Spargo (originally published: Menasha, Wis.: George Banta Pub. Co., 1938), page 177:

[The book also has musical notation for melody only.]


WILL RAY*

Oh, Papa, dear Papa, do tell me
Just what you think of Will Ray,
And if he should ask for your daughter,
Oh, Papa dear, what would you say?

Oh, Daughter dear, how you do shock me
To think you so handsome and gay
Would offer to stoop from your level
To marry that pauper, Will Ray.

But, Daughter, I've something to tell you;
Now listen and mind what I say.
You know Johnny Burns, the rich banker;
He's coming to see you today.

Yes, Daughter, young Johnny is coming
To claim you, my dear, as his wife,
And you shall have satins and jewels
And be the bright star of his life.

But, Papa, young Burns has not asked me,
And if he should what should I say?
My heart is not mine to be given;
'Tis already given away.

But, Papa, I've something to tell you;
'Tis something about Johnny Burns;
His wealth has all vanished and left him;
How the wheel of fortune does turn!

And, Papa, I've more for to tell you;
'Tis something about Willie Ray.
His uncle has died and has left him
A cool hundred thousand, they say.

But, Daughter, you must not expect him;
Now listen and mind what I say;
Listen to Johnny no longer,
But marry that wealthy Will Ray.

Then, Daughter, I want you to marry
Your handsome lover, Will Ray,
And shine in your satins and jewels
And be the bright star of his day.

But, Papa, young Burns is so lonely
And his loss makes him feel very sad.
He has asked me to marry him, Papa,
And his losses also make me feel bad.

But, Papa, there's no use in talking;
It's hard for to tame a wild herd;
I have promised to marry him, Papa,
And I'll never go back on my word.

* Mr. William H. Creed copied this from the manuscript book belonging to Mrs. Clara Walpert. The music was taken down from the singing of Mrs. Walpert.

Subject: Lyr Add: WILL RAY
From: harpgirl
Date: 26 Dec 99 - 10:53 PM

...this song in the AP Hudson "Folksongs of Mississippi" collection is noted as a story song whose "intent is to exhibit the cleverness of the girl in verbal fence with her father"...from Mrs. G.V. Easley, Tula., Mississippi...

Will Ray

O Papa, dear Papa, please tell me
Just what you think of Will Ray
And if he should ask for your daughter
Dear Papa, what would you say?

O Daughter,dear, how you have shocked me
To think you are so handsome and gay
Would offer to step from your level
And marry that pauper, Will Ray

O Papa, don't speak so cruel
Your words make me sad
If I can't marry young Willie
My life will be lonely and sad

O Daughter, I've something to tell you
You mind just what I say
You know John Burns the banker
Is coming to see you today

O Papa, young Johnnie's so wealthy
And Willie's so poor as you say
But Johnnie is coming tomorrow
And Willie will be here today

But Daughter, I've something to tell you
Tis hard to tame a wild bird
I said you should marry young Johnnie
And I will never go back on my word

But, Papa I've something to tell you
T tell you about John Burns
His money has vanished and left him
And the wheel of his fortune turns

And Papa I've more to tell you
It's something about Will Ray
His uncle has died and left him
A cool hundred thousand, they say

Now, Daughter I've nothing to tell you
You mind just what I say
Don't bother with Johnnie no longer
But marry your handsome Will Ray

But, Papa, young Johnnie's so lonesome
He feels his loss very bad
His parents both died and left him
And that 's what makes him so sad

No matter, my daughter, I tell you
I wnat you to marry Will Ray
And shine in your satin and laces
And be the bright star of the day

But Papa there's no need of talking
It's hard to tame a wild bird
I've promised to marry young Willie
And I'll never go back on my word