Debra Cowan - Young Charlotte Lyrics
I chose this song from Mrs. Scott because she lived in Westborough, MA, a town I lived in from 1999-2004. Until now, I was not familiar with the song, and as I got to know it, I found this to be an interesting story of how harmful pride can be.lyricsYoung Charlotte lived by the mountainside, in a lone and dreary spot spotNo dwelling there for five miles 'round, except her father's cotYet on many a winter's night, young swains would gather thereFor her father kept a social board and she was very fairHer father loved to see her dressed, fine as a city belleFor she was the only child he had and he loved his daughter well'Twas New Year's Eve, the sun went down, wild looked her anxious eyeAlong the frosty window pane to see the sleighs pass byAt the village inn, fifteen miles round, there's a merry ball tonightThe air is freezing cold above, but the hearts are warm and lightAnd While she looked with longing eyes, then a well known voice she hearsAnd dashing up to the cottage door, young Charlie's sleigh appearsHer mother says, “My daughter dear, this blanket round you foldFor it is a dreadful night abroad you'll take your death of cold""Oh no! Oh no!" young Charlotte said and she laughed like a gypsy queen:"For to ride in blankets muffled up, I never could be seen"My silken cloak is quite enough, 'T is lined you know, throughout,And then I have a silken scarf, to tie my face about"Her gloves and bonnet being on, she jumped into the sleighAnd away they ride o'er the mountainside and o'er the hills awayThere merry music in the bells, as o'er the hills they goWhat a creaking rake the runners make, as they bite the frozen snowThen o'er the hills and faster o'er, and by the cold starlightWhen Charles in these frozen words, at last the silence brokeSuch a night as this I never knew, the reins I scarce can holdWhen Charlotte, shivering, faintly said, "I am exceedingly cold"He cracked his whip and urged his team, more swiftly than beforeUntil five other dreary mile, in silence were passed o'er"O see," said Charles, "How fast the frost is gathering on my brow"when Charlotte in a feeble voice said, "I am growing warmer now"And on they ride through the frosty air and the glittering cold starlightUntil at last the village inn, and ballroom are in sightThey reached the inn and Charles jumped out and held his arms to her"Why sit you like a monument, without the power to stir?"He called her once, he called her twice, she answered not a wordHe called her by her name again, but still she never stirredHe took her hand in his, O God, 'twas cold and hard as stoneHe tore the mantle from her brow and on her the cold stars shone,And then into the lighted hall, her lifeless fore he boreFor Charlotte was a frozen corpse and words spoke never moreHe sat himself down by her side and the bitter tears did flowAnd he said, "My young intended bride, I nevermore shall know"He threw his arms around her neck and kissed her marble browAnd his thoughts went back to where she said, "I'm growing warmer now"He bore her out into the sleigh and with her he drove homeAnd when he reached the cottage door, oh how her parents mournedThey mourned the loss of their daughter, dear, while Charles mourned o'er their gloomUntil with grief his heart did break and they slumber in one To
