“Kitty Gray”
Description
The singer sees a girl and courts her "For she looked like an angel although she was poor." Her widowed mother consents to the marriage "as by flattery and deception I won Kitty Gray." But when she realizes his deception, she and the baby die
Supplemental text
Kitty Gray
Partial text(s)
*** A ***
From Emelyn Elizabeth Gardner and Geraldine Jencks Chickering,
Ballads and Songs of Southern Michigan, p. 106. From the
Rowell manuscript.
One morning as through the village churchyard I did stray
I spied a fair creature came passing that way.
Her eyes were like diamonds, her teeth were like pearl,
Her cheeks were like roses, and her hair hung in curls.
I stepped up to her and stood by her side,
Said I, "My fair creature, would you be my bride?"
Go home and ask mother if you mean what you say."
I gained and emigrated with my own Kitty Gray.
Chorus
For she looked like an angel although she was poor,
That sweet charming creature I ne'er shall see more.
From her lonely poor mother I led her astray;
She's gone, she's dead now, my poor Kitty Gray.
(2 additional stanzas)
Long description
"One morning as through the village churchyard I did stray," the singer sees a girl and courts her "For she looked like an angel although she was poor." Her widowed mother consents to the marriage "as by flattery and deception I won Kitty Gray." But when she realizes his deception, she and the baby dies
References
- Gardner/Chickering 32, "Kitty Gray" (1 text)
- ST GC032 (Partial)
- Roud #3692
- BI, GC032