“Claudy Green”

Description

The singer walks out to hear the birds sing and see the fish swim when he is distracted by a girl. He asks her if she is Diana or Venus, and says he will serve for fourteen years, as Jacob did, to win her. She rejects him and leaves

Notes

Finally a girl with the sense to turn down one of these brainless suitors! One wonders what the singer would have done if the girl *had* been Diana (mentioned in the a text though not the b), the eternally virgin huntress?

The story of Jacob serving for fourteen years to win the hands of Rachel and Leah is told in Genesis 29:15-30. - RBW

References

  1. SHenry H115b, pp. 241-242, "Claudy Green" (1 text, 1 tune); H115a, p. 355, "Claudy Green" (1 text, 1 tune -- the same as the preceding)
  2. Roud #9479
  3. BI, HHH115a

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1926 (Sam Henry collection)
Found in: Ireland