Lyr Req: Bronson's Child 208

Subject: Lyr Req: Bronson's Child 208
From: Roberto
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 03:11 AM

I'd like to get the text of "The King's Love-Letter" (a version of Lord Derwentwater, Child #208) as sung by Mrs. G. A. Griffin, recorded in 1937. It is Bronson's #4a. Thank you. Roberto

Subject: Lyr Add: THE KING'S LOVE LETTER (Child #208)
From: masato sakurai
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 03:57 AM

Bronson #208. 4a. "The King's Love Letter"
Sung by Mrs. G.A. Griffin, Newberry, Fla., 1937. LC/AAFS, rec. No. 9263(A2). Also in LC/AAFS, rec. No. L58(A3). Collected by John Lomax.

1. The king he wrote a love letter
    And he sealed it all with gold
    And he sent it to the Duke of Melanto(r?)
    To read it if he could.

2. The first few lines that he did read
    It caused him for to smile
    But the next few lines that he did read
    The tears from his eyes did flow.

3. He called up his oldest one
    To bridle and saddle my steed
    For I've got to go to Lunnon Town
    Although I have no need.

4. It's make your will, you Duke of Melanto(r?)
    It's make your will all around
    It's two and two to my two oldest sons
    It's two, it's two all around
    For all of my steeds and the rest of my property
    We'll retain to her lady's side.

5. Before he rode up in the edge of town
    He met a jolly old man
    Your life, your life, you Duke of Melento(r?)
    Your life I will command.

6. He stooped over the window
    There the flowers swelled so gay
    Till his nose gushed out and bleed
    Come all you lords, you pretty lords, ye,
    Be kind to my baby
    Come all you lords, you pretty lords, ye,
    Be kind to my baby
    For all of my steeds and the rest of my property
    We'll retain to her lady's side.

It's on the folowing of Folk Recordings Selected from the Archive of Folk Culture, originally an LP, now available on audio cassette:

AFS L 58:
CHILD BALLADS TRADITIONAL IN THE UNITED STATES (II) ($8.95)
Recorded in various parts of U.S. by several collectors, 1936-50. Edited by Bertrand H. Bronson. 23-page brochure.

1. "The Three Babes" (Child No. 79), sung by Mrs. Texas Gladden
2. "Andrew Batann" (Child Nos. 167 and 250), sung by Warde H. Ford
3. "The King's Love-Letter" (Child No. 208), sung by Mrs. G. A. Griffin
4. "Well Met, My Old True Love" (Child No. 243), sung by Pearl Jacobs Borusky
5. "The Ship Carpenter" (Child No. 243), sung by Clay Walters
6. "There Was an Old and Wealthy Man" (Child No. 272), sung by Dol Small
7. "The Devil and the Farmer's Wife" (Child No. 278), sung by Carrie Grover
8. "The Oxford Merchant" (Child No. 283), sung by Warde H. Ford
9. "The Golden Willow Tree" (Child No. 286), sung by Jimmy Morris
10. "A Ship Set Sail for North America" (Child No. 286), sung by Ollie Jacobs
11. "The Mermaid" (Child No. 289), sung by Mrs. Emma Dusenbury

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bronson's Child 208
From: Roberto
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 04:05 AM

I thank you very very much, masato sakurai. I've bought the two LPs through eBay. The first is with booklet, the second is not. I think I'll bother you again for the text of some other ballad from the second lp. I could not hope in such a promt answer. Thank you again. Roberto