Virginian Lover, The

DESCRIPTION: Singer courts (Martha), who returns his affection. Her mother/brother opposes the marriage because he is unpropertied, and offers her land/gowns if she'll reject him. She weeps; he tells her "if you hadn't been so faithful, I wouldn't have been so true"
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1916 (Cecil Sharp collection)
LONG DESCRIPTION: Singer courts fair Martha (Polly) (of Blackwaters, dark waters), who returns his affection, but her mother (brother) opposes their marriage because he is unpropertied, and offers her land (or gowns) if she'll reject him. She weeps; he asks if he's given her any occasion to be angry, and tells her "if you hadn't been so faithful, I wouldn't have been so true"
KEYWORDS: grief poverty courting marriage brother lover mother clothes
FOUND IN: US(Ap, SE)
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Sharp-EnglishFolkSongsFromSouthernAppalachians 124, "The Virginian Lover" (3 texts, 3 tunes)
Roud #420
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "The Wagoner's Lad" (plot)
NOTES [54 words]: The plot of this song powerfully resembles others, notably "The Wagoner's Lad," but it seems to be distinct. - PJS
Burton and Manning lump it with their "A Man of Honor from Virginia Came," which is also heavily composite; these are the sorts of songs that are really hard to classify.... But I think they are separate. - RBW
Last updated in version 6.4
File: ShAp2124

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