Silver Dagger

Written by: [Traditional]
Language: English
Comments: [Roud 22620, 22621; Laws M4; Henry H722; Ballad Index LM04; VWML CJS2/10/2522A, CJS2/10/1891; Mudcat 17334, 160090; trad.] English ballad. Earliest known text was published in 1817. Variations were collected in the Southern Appalachians by Cecil Sharp. The last verse of Kelly Harrell's 1926 recording of "O! Molly Dear Go Ask Your Mother" is almost identical to the usual first verse of "Katie Dear." The melody of Harrell's song is closely related (if not identical) to that of "Wayfaring Stranger."

Synopsis - A young man has slept over at his lover's house and it's morning time and he's being warned to rise and go as he will wake her father or mother (who may have a silver dagger by her side)

The "Katie Dear" versions will usually open "Oh Katie (or Molly or Peggy) dear go ask your mother if you can be a bride of mine, if she says yes come back and tell me, If she says no we’ll run away..."

The Carter Family recorded a version in 1938 that added the opening of "Who's That Knockin' at My Window" but after that it involves the same theme of all the other variants.
Licensing: Request a synchronization license

Originals

Traditional