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Lost Jimmy Whelan

from False Knight Upon the Road by Clary Croft

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lyrics

Lost Jimmy Whelan

Collected from Dennis Smith, Chezzetcook, NS. This lovely ghost song resembles Child 78, “The Unquiet Grave”. The ghost does not care to be mourned and cannot rest peacefully while his loved one is in so much grief.

Published in “Traditional Songs from Nova Scotia”


Slowly I rode by the banks of the river,
A-viewing the sun beams as evening drew nigh,
As onward I rambled, I spied a fair damsel,
A-weeping and wailing with many a sigh.

She was crying for one who is now lying lowly,
Weeping for one that no mortal can save,
The dark flowing waters flow swiftly around her,
While the grass it grows green over young Jimmy’s grave.

“Oh, Jimmy my dear, won’t you come to me darling,
Come to me now from your cold silent tomb,
You promised you’d meet me this evening, my darling,
If this cruel angel would greet your sad doom.”

“Well, you promise we’d meet by the banks of the river,
And give me sweet kisses as oft time before,
And take me again in your strong, loving arms,
Oh come to me Jimmy, come as of yore.”

Well slowly he rose from the banks of the river,
A vision of beauty more bright than the sun,
With his bright robes of crimson around him all flowing,
And unto the maiden to speak he began.

“Why did you call me from my realms of glory,
Back to this world where I soon have to leave,
And take you again in my strong loving arms,
To see you once more love, I come from the grave.”

“One more embrace love before I must leave you,
One more fond kiss before we must part,”
And cold were the arms that did her encircle,
And cold was the bosom she pressed to her heart.

“Well, adieu then,” he cried and he vanished before her,
Back to the clouds why his form seemed to go,
And leaving this maiden forlorn and distracted,
A-weeping and wailing with sorrow and woe.

Now she threw herself down on the ground and wept sorely,
With wild words of horror this maiden did rage,
Saying, “Jimmy my darling, my lost Jimmy Whelan,
I cried ‘til I died by the side of your grave.”

credits

from False Knight Upon the Road, released April 20, 2021

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Clary Croft Nova Scotia

Clary is a folklore researcher, author and recording artist. His newly published memoirs, Clary Croft: My Charmed Life in Music, Art, and Folklore, chronicles a career spanning over fifty years. His work with the traditional music from the Creighton Collection, has caused Clary to be called, “the acknowledged master of one of the richest repertoires in Canada.” [Halifax Mail Star] ... more

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