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Source-Edith Ballinger Price, Newport, RI

“Bold Richard” is an English ballad also known as “Richard of Taunton Dean”. When I heard Miss Price sing for the first time, I was amazed by the power of her voice in the songs she sang. In the recordings, she accompanies herself on piano and that brought back memories of when I was in grade school and my teachers would sit at the piano and have us sing to their accompaniment.

lyrics

One Sunday morning as I've heard say
Young Richard he mounted his dobbin grey
And over the fields he rode a lee
A courtin’ the parson’s daughter Jean
With your rumbledum dumble dum doddikan day

Young Richard he put on his Sunday clothes
His buckskin trousers and silken hose
And a brand new hat upon his head
Was all bedecked with ribbons of red

Young Richard he rode without any fear
‘til he came to the hall in his own good cheer
Then he upped and shouted Hullo! Hullo!
Be the folks at home? Say yes or no!'

The servants quickly let Dick in
So that his courting might begin
But when he got him inside the hall
He loudly for Miss Jean did bawl

Miss Jean come down without delay
What you young Richard have got for to say?
Says he I suppose you know, Miss Jean
That I am Young Richard of Taunton Dean

I’m an honest man yet I be poor
And I’ve never been in love before
But my father he sent me out for to woo
And I could fancy none but you

Oh if I consent to be your bride
Pray how for me will you provide?
I’ll give you all I have I’m sure
And what could a poor fellow do for you more

For I’ve a pig poked up in a sty
As Granny did give me when she did die
And if you consent to marry me now
My father will give us a fine fat sow

For I can reap and I can sow
And I can plow and I can mow
And I go to market with father’s hay,
And earn my ninepence every day

Oh nine pence a day would never do
For I must have silks and satins, too
'Twould never do for you and I
'Ah come' says Richard 'I can but try'

Dick's compliments did so delight,
They made the family laugh outright.
And when he got no more of they
He gave her a kiss and he rode away

credits

from Dad's Dinner Pail and Other Songs From the Helen Hartness Flanders Collection, released July 26, 2005
Debra Cowan: vocals
Michael DeLalla: guitar

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Debra Cowan Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

Singer Debra Cowan performs a cappella and with guitar, interpreting a wide range of folk songs. Debra has two acclaimed solo recordings to her credit, and her third, “Fond Desire Farewell” was produced by former Fairport Convention drummer Dave Mattacks. A former California resident, she now resides in Massachusetts and tours all over North America and the United Kingdom. ... more

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