“Katie Morey”

Description

The singer tries to seduce Katie. He lures her into the woods and threatens to kill her if she will not submit. She seems to consent, but warns the youth to climb a tree until her father passes. She then insults him and runs away, leaving him far behind

Notes

Authorities differ on whether this ballad, in either its polite or bawdy versions, is related to "The Baffled Knight" (Child 112). - EC

As the notes to Bronson show, though, it is sometimes lumped with that ballad (e.g. by Eddy). As always, readers are advised to check entries under Child #112 for completeness. I unhesitatingly agree with Laws in considering them separate. - RBW

Cross references

• cf. "The Baffled Knight" [Child 112]

Recordings

• Betty Garland, "Katy Dory" (on BGarland01)

References

1. Laws N24, "Katie Morey"
2. Bronson 112, "The Baffled Knight" (40 versions) -- but #26-33 (his Appendix A) are "The New-Mown Hay," which may be separate, and #34-#39 (his Appendix B) are "Katie Morey" [Laws N24] which is certainly separate
3. Eddy 19, "The Baffled Knight" (1 text, 1 tune, listed as Child #112 but clearly this piece) {Bronson's #39}
4. Flanders-Ancient3, pp. 89-99, "The Baffled Knight" (5 texts, but the "A" text is from "The Charms of Melody" rather than tradition and "B-I" through "B-IV" are "Katie Morey" rather than "The Baffled Knight" [Child 112])
5. SharpAp 115, "Katie Morey" (2 texts plus a fragment, 3 tunes) {Bronson's #34, #37, #35}
6. Gardner/Chickering 161, "Kitty O'Noory" (1expurgated text, 1 tune) {Bronson's #36}
7. Randolph-Legman II, pp. 594-597, "Katey Morey" (5 texts)
8. FSCatskills 129, "Katey Morey" (1 text, 1 tune)
9. Sharp/Karpeles-80E 52, "Katie Morey" (1 text, 1 tune) {Bronson's #34}
10. DT (112), KATYMORY*
11. Roud #674
12. BI, LN24