Bright Phoebus had risen and shone o'er the plain,

voiceCollected by Max Hunter (H-9) For Mary C. Parler Transcribed by Frances Majors Sung by Mrs. Tressie Rose Gainesville, Missouri July 1, 1958 Reel 251-52, Item 19 The Lady Leroy Bright Phoebus had risen and shone o'er the plain, The birds were all singing in nature serene. I spied a fair couple on Erin's bright shore, A-viewing the ocean, where the billows do roar. One was a lady, both gentle and fair, The other a sea captain persuading his dear, Persuading his dear to make a convoy On a ship he commanded, called the Lady Leroy. This lady being weary, she hung down her head; At length finding courage, she looked up and said, "I'll consent to go with you, to make a convoy On a ship you command, called the Lady Leroy." She dressed herself up in a suit of men's clothes, And unto her father, this lady did go; He purchases a vessel and paid the demand, But he knew not who received it from his own daughter's hand. When her cruel old father had found out these plans, He determined to be revenged from this worthy young man. He says, "My dear daughter, shall ne'er be his wife, And for disobedience, I'll end her sweet life." He rigged up two vessels all ready for flight; To put them to justice was all his delight. He rigged up two vessels, bright colors did fly, Away in pursuit of the Lady Leroy. They had not been sailing past two days or three, Till they saw a ship sailing on the far distant sea. They saw a ship sailing that filled them with joy, For they hailed it and found it was the Lady Leroy. From side to broadside for two hours or more; Like peals of flat thunder the cannons did roar. The old man cried, "Surrender," but the young man did reply, "I'll fight for the lady, I'll conquer or die." The Lady Leroy (Cont'd) Reel 251-52, Item 19 (Cont'd) From side unto broadside for three hours or more, Like peals of loud thunder, the cannons did roar. At last the young man, he gained the victory, And on with his vessel sailed over the sea. A rich Boston harbor, a port of great fame, And here these three vessels we'll mention their name. One was the ship Essex, the other Leroy. The third was the Friendship that made the convoy.Funding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation