“Far Fanil Town” Recording

Abner Keesee of Campbell County originally shared this ballad entitled “Far Fanil Town” with Virginia Folklore Society ballad collector Juliet Fauntleroy in April of 1932. Arthur Kyle Davis Jr. recorded the ballad with him a few months later. “Far Fanil Town” was the only ballad that Davis was unable to locate in any other collection of old English ballads.

1. "Go saddle up my dark bay horse,
Go saddle him all in dark
For I never did ride from Far Fanil town,
Home with such a achin' heart.

2. Go saddle up my milk speed horse,
Go saddle him all in gray
For I never did ride from Far Fanil town
Home to London in one day.

3. Threw his (right) left foot over in the (right) left stirrup
His right foot over the speed
The sweat was droppin' off his fingers 'n' hands,
His nose began to bleed

4. He rode until he come to where the bridge was broken in
He taken to his breast and he swum
He swum till he come to the other side
And he taken to his heels and he run

5. He rode until he came to the middle of the street
Likewise to the middle of the town
The tables they was set and the cloths they was spread
And the ladies they were standing around

6. Here is the handkerchief bordered with red
It is to let you know,
If you want to see your own wedded wife
You must go before she is dead."

7. He rode until he come to the middle of the town,
Likewise to the middle of the street
Who did he meet but his own wedded wife
All wropt up in the windin' sheet.

8. He had a pen knife drew in his hand
He ripped the seams all around
Her cheeks looked of a pale crimson red,
And her lips they looked smilin' at him.

9. Three times he kissed her pale, pale lips,
Three times he kissed them over again.
And thar he made a solemn vow,
He would never kiss a woman again.

Citation: Virginia Folklore Society Records, MSS 9936. Special Collections, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA