Lissa Schneckenburger sings Young Charlotte, from 'Song' released on Footprint Records in 2008. Available for sale at www.lissafiddle.com
(words: traditional/Lissa S, music: traditional/Lissa S.)
source: "The Maine Woods Songster" edited by Phillips Barry, 1939
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In a village fifteen miles from home, there’s a merry ball tonight
Although the air is freezing cold our hearts are warm and light
Long and anxiously she watched till a well-known voice she hears
And driving up to the cottage door young Charles Wesley appears
Why Charlotte dear her mother says this blanket around you fold
It is a dreadful night you know you’ll take your death of cold
"Oh no oh no," young Charlotte says and she laughed like a gypsy queen
To ride in blankets muffled up I never would be seen
(Ch)
And the wind blows cruel, and the wind blows free
Bring my love back to me
There’s music in the sound of bells as over the hills we go
What a crackling noise the runners make as they bite the frozen snow
With faces muffled silently for five long miles they rode
Until at length with a frozen word young Charles the silence broke
Such a night as this I never knew my reins I scarce can hold
Young Charlotte says with a feeble voice I feel exceeding cold
He cracks his whip he urged his steed much faster than before
Until at length five more long miles in silence they rode over
(Ch)
Young Charles he says I feel the air a gathering on my brow
Young Charlotte says with a weaker voice I’m growing warmer now
They rode over the mountain side and through the cold starlight
Until they entered the village and the ball room came in sight
Driving up young Charles jumps out and gives his hand to her
Why sit you there like a monument that has no power to stir
He called her once he called her twice but she uttered not a word
He called her for her hand again but still she never stirred
(Ch)
He tore the mantle from her brow and the cold stars on her shone
And quickly in the lighted room her helpless form was borne
They tried all means were in their power her life to restore
But Charlotte was a frozen corpse again to speak no more
They bore her out into the sleigh and Charles with her rode home
And when they reached her cottage door oh how her parents mourned
They mourned the loss of their daughter dear and Charles mourned for his bride
Until at length his heart did break and they slumber side by side
(Ch)
And the wind blows cruel, and the wind blows free
Bring my love back to me
And the sun will set, and the snow will fall
Falling down upon us all
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