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Jessie Munroe / Jessie Monroe

[ Roud 1807 ; Laws P40 ; Ballad Index LP40 ; DT JESSMUNR ; trad.]

Newfoundland singer Matthew Byrne sang Jessie Monroe on his 2025 album Stealing Time. He noted:

I learned this partly from Mom and partly from Tobias Pearson of Merasheen, Placentia Bay—a wonderful character with a great repertoire. The line “your buildings are shaking, my poor heart is breaking” is fantastic.

Lyrics

Matthew Byrne sings Jessie Monroe

As I was a-walking one fine summer’s morning
Down by the green meadows I chanced for to go
I spied a fair damsel, she appealed to my fancy
I’ll tell you about her as far as I know

Chorus (after each verse, repeatings its last line):
Right fall-de-dal-day
Right fall-de-dal-laddie
I’ll tell you about her as far as I know

I said dearest maiden, how far are you going?
And who is your father I fain wish to know?
My father’s a blacksmith and he lives down in Gloucester
And I am his daughter, young Jessie Monroe

I said dearest Jessie, my heart you have stolen
Your two pretty eyes they are blacker than coal
And it’s into your arms I long to be falling
And lie on the bosom of Jessie Monroe

She said well now Johnny, be away with such flattery
For it’s into your arms I never will go
Your buildings are shaking, my poor heart is breaking
Some handsomer laddie for Jessie Monroe

I said well now Jessie, since you speak so saucy
It’s home to my own dearest Maggie I’ll go
She’s not quite so bonny, more fitter for Johnny
So it’s go to the devil young Jessie Monroe