|
YOUNG CHARLOTTE Sung by: A.C. McGouyrk Recorded in Jamestown, AR 7/29/62 Click here to listen to the original recording In a lone and a dreary spot. No other house five miles around, Except . . . (Comment by Mr. McGouyrk: "I've got it too low.") . . . her own father's cot. Was New Year's and the sun was low, High beamed her wandering eye, And to the frozen window went To see the sleigh pass by. 'Til weary being their wandering eye, 'Til his own bells she heard. Running up to the cottage door, Young Charles and his sleigh appeared. (Dr. Wolf: "She had on her bonnet?" Mrs. Peel: "She had on her bonnet and shawl.") She then had on her bonnet and shawl, And stepped into the sleigh. (Mr. McGouyrk: "I left out summat." Mrs. Peel: "Something about 'Mother, take daughter around . . . this blanket around you fold." Mr. McGouyrk: "Yeah, I'll get it right directly.") . . . blanket around you fold. Such a dreadful night's abroad, You'll catch your death of cold. She then had on her bonnet and shawl, And stepped into the sleigh. They drove along a mountainside, And o'er the hills away. (Mr. McGouyrk: "I don't think . . . It's been so long since I've sung it, I don't think I'll ever get it together." Mrs. Peel: "Young Charlotte lived on a mountainside . . . Well, let her hold it, and you do the singing.") . . . in a lone and a dreary spot. No other house five miles around. (Mr. McGouyrk: "I've still got it too low." Mrs. Peel: "Well, back up and start again, then.") Young Charlotte lived by a mountainside, In a lone and a dreary spot. No other house five miles around Except her own father's cot. Was New Year's and the sun was low, High beamed her wandering eye, And to the frozen window went To watch the sleigh pass by. 'Til weary being her wandering eye, 'Til his own bell she heard. Running up to the cottage door, Young Charles and his sleigh appeared. She then had on her bonnet and shawl, And stepped into the sleigh. They drove along that mountainside, And o'er the hills away. "How fast," said Charles, "the frozen snow Is gathering on my brow." When Charlotte spoke in frozen words, "I'm growing warmer now." (Mrs. Peel: "They drove through frozen . . .) . . . frost and frozen snow, And through the coal tar light. They drove with haste to the village inn Where the ballroom was inside." Young Charles drove up to the hall door, And gave to her his hand. (Mrs. Peel: "Why do you sit there . . . Why do you sit there?") Saying, "Why do you sit there like one That had no power to stir?" He asked her once, he asked her twice, He asked her . . . He asked her once, he asked her twice, But still she never stirred. He asked her for her hand once more, But still she never stirred. Also found in Randolph, Vol. IV, #667; Brown, Vol. II, #209; Belden, p. 308. |
|
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 |