University of Virginia Library

The Golden Ball

THE MAID FREED FROM THE GALLOWS—H

[_]

a. Baring-Gould's Appendix to Henderson's Notes on the Folk Lore of the Northern Counties of England and the Borders, 1866, p. 333, Yorkshire. b. Notes and Queries, Sixth Series, X, 354, 1884.

1

Stop, stop! [OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
I think I see my mother coming,
[OMITTED]

2

‘Oh mother, hast brought my golden ball,
And come to set me free?
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]

3

‘I've neither brought thy golden ball,
Nor come to set thee free,
But I have come to see thee hung,
Upon this gallows-tree.’

4

‘Stop, stop! [OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
I think I see my father coming,
[OMITTED]

5

‘O father, hast brought my golden ball,
And come to set me free?
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]

354

6

‘I've neither brought thy golden ball,
Nor come to set thee free,
But I have come to see thee hung,
Upon this gallows-tree.’

7

‘Stop, stop! [OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
I see my sweet-heart coming,
[OMITTED]

8

‘Sweet-heart, hast brought my golden ball,
And come to set me free?
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]

9

‘Aye, I have brought thy golden ball,
And come to set thee free;
I have not come to see thee hung,
Upon this gallows-tree.’