Appalachian Singer Jean Ritchie - A Pretty Fair Miss (1954)

American folk singer and national treasure, Jean Ritchie, performing "A Pretty Fair Miss." This song appears on Jean's 1954 album, "Field Trip."
The album can be purchased on Amazon at:
www.amazon.com/...
More information is available here:
en.wikipedia.or...
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[@Tadfafty]

This is a really interesting song.

[@gentleman-shutterbug]

Happy to hear this. I'm familiar with the version of the song called "John Reilly," covered by Joan Baez and also the Byrds.

[@vlopes3000]

Pretty, fair damsel in the garden
Brave, young soldier riding by
He rode up to her to view her
My pretty, fair miss, won't you fancy me?
You're not a man of a noble honor
You're not the man I had taken you to be
Or you wouldn't impose on a single lady
Who your bride can never be
I have a true love in the army
And he's been there for seven long years
And if he stays there seven years longer
No other man can marry me
Perhaps he's on some water course drowned
Perhaps he's on some battlefield slain
Perhaps he's to some fair girl married
My pretty, fair miss, you'll never see him again
Well, if he's drowned, I hope he's happy
Or if he's on some battlefield slain
Or if he's to some fair girl married
I love the girl that married him

[@Tadfafty]

These lyrics don't match.

[@sandramorey2529]

The Soldier and the Maid or John Riley. Lots of variants available.

[@JohnStopman]

Cool *^_^*