Voice ; Collected and transcribed by Sung by Mrs. Hallie Griffin Mary Celestia Parler Conway, Arkansas July 27, 1958 Reel 298, Item 1 The Fields of Waterloo As I went walking one evening in June To view the fair fields and the meadows so green, I spied a young damsel, she appeared like a queen With her costly fine robing and her mantle so green, I stood in amazement, I was struck with surprise, I thought her an angel had fell from the skies, Her eyes were like diamonds, her cheeks like the rose, She was one of the fairest that nature composed. Said I, My pretty fair maid, come go along with me, We'll join in wedlock and married we'll be, I'll dress you in a rich attire, and you'll appear like a queen, With your costly fine robing and your mantle so green. Said she, 0 my young man, you must be refused, As I have a lover so you must be excused, To the green fields I've wandered to shun all men's view, The fields are (robbers?) and famed Waterloo. As you are not married, tell me your love's name, For I've been in battle and might have known same, Draw near to the garment and there you will see His name embroidered on the mantle so green. At the folding of the garment was there I behold His name and surname in letters of gold. William O'Reilly appeared to my view, He was my chief commander at famed Waterloo. He fought so bravely while the bullets did fly, On the fields of old Norway your lover doth lie. He fought for three days till the fourth afternoon; He received his death summons on the eighteenth of June. As he lay dying, I heard his last cry: Were you here, loving Nancy, contented I would die. Since peace is proclaimed, the truth I declare: This is your love's token, a gold ring I wear. ; Funding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation.