Collected by Mary C. Parler Inez Gibson
Fayetteville, Ark. May 18, 1956
Reel 311, Item 1
Fair Ellen (The Jealous Lover)
So deep in a lonely valley,
Where the violets bloom and fade,
There sleeps my own fair Ellen,
So silent in her grave.
She died not broken-hearted,
From sickness neither fell,
But from an angry passion Of the one she loved so well.
One night when the moon was shining And softly fell the dew,
Up to her —less window Her jealous lover drew.
Then come and let us wander O'er the valley love I pray,
And there from all disturbance We'll name our wedding day.
So deep into the valley He led his love so fair Saying, 'Tis for you only That I have brought you here.
Down on her knees before him She pled in vain for life;
But deep into her bosom He plunged his fatal knife.
And now he lies in prison The remainder of his life For in an angry passion He slew his promised wife.