Young Caroline

DESCRIPTION: Highlander MacDonald courts Caroline. Her father is opposed: he "swore Macdonnels blood should stain the earth." Caroline, scorned for their relationship, is unhappy. Her heart breaks to leave her parents, but they elope and marry happily.
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1866 (Musick-JAF-TheOldAlbumOf-William-A-Larkin)
KEYWORDS: courting elopement marriage father mother
FOUND IN: US(MW)
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Musick-JAF-TheOldAlbumOf-William-A-Larkin 19, "Young Caroline" (1 text)
Roud #4279
NOTES [156 words]: Musick-JAF-TheOldAlbumOf-William-A-Larkin: "I believe this is an Americanized version of 'Caroline of Edinborough Town' ... although the ending is happy in Mr Larkins's [sic] version, and the girl lives on 'Dry Crick.' Nevertheless, her lover wins her 'with flattering tongue,' the father bitterly objects, and they run away." I don't see any links between Musick-JAF-TheOldAlbumOf-William-A-Larkin text and "Caroline of Edinborough Town" other than Caroline's name and that her lover was from the highlands. Then Musick looks to Creighton-SongsAndBalladsFromNovaScotia 33, "Caroline and Her Young Sailor Bold" for a Caroline story with a happy ending, but there are no other links between the Musick-JAF-TheOldAlbumOf-William-A-Larkin text and that song. It does seem to be an American version about some woman and a Highlander named MacDonald, but I find no connection with, say, "MacDonald of the Isles" or "The Pride of Glencoe." - BS
Last updated in version 3.0
File: MuLa019

Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Song List

Go to the Ballad Index Instructions
Go to the Ballad Index Bibliography or Discography