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FLOELLA (FLORELLA; THE JEALOUS LOVER) Sung by: Mrs. Alice Isringhouse Recorded in Holly Grove, AR 6/15/59 Click here to listen to the original recording Where violets fade and bloom, There lies my dear Floella, In a dark and silent tomb. She died not broken hearted, Nor lingered from a spell, But in an instant parting From a home she loved so well. One night the moon shone brightly; The stars were shining too, When to her cottage window, Her jealous lover drew. Says he, "Love, let's go wandering To the valley deep and gray, And while we are wandering, We'll name our wedding day." Deep, deep into the valley He led his love so dear. Says she, "'Tis only for you That I have wandered here. The way seemed dark and dreary, And I'm afraid to stay. Of wandering I've grown weary, And would retrace my way." "Retrace your way, no never. These woods no more you'll roam, So bid farewell forever To parents and friends and home, For in these woods I have you; From me you cannot fly, No human's arms can save you. Floella, you must die." Down on her knees before him, She pleaded for her life, But deep into her bosom He plunged the fatal knife. "Oh, what have I done, dear Edward, That you should take my life? I've always loved you dearly, And would have been your wife." "But I'll forgive you, Edward," Was her last and fatal breath. Her pulse had ceased their beating; Her eyes were closed in death. The birds sang in the morning, And dreadful was their sound. They found her cold and lifeless, A-laying on the ground. They took her to the churchyard And there they laid her down, To be and sleep forever In a cold and silent ground. Also found in Randolph, Vol. II, #138, "The Jealous Lover"; Brown, Vol. II, #250, "Florella"; Belden, p. 324, "Florella." |
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All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas Back to the Song Index Back to the Wolf Collection Homepage ©Copyright 2002 Lyon College |