“The Iron Door”

Description

When the rich girl falls in love with a poor boy, her father locks her in a iron-doored prison. Her lover breaks in and sneaks her out (in men's clothing), but they meet her father. The boy prepares to die, but the father gives in

Notes

I'm sure it's not related, but it's interesting to note that Johannes Gutenberg (yes, that Gutenberg) was once involved with a girl names Ennelin zur Yserin Thure (in modern German, Annalein zur Eiseren Tur, or Little Anna of the Iron Door). Ennelin, or her mother, was apparently after him for breach of promise of marriage. (Source: John Man, _Gutenberg_, pp. 57-59). - RBW

Cross references

• cf. "Locks and Bolts" [Laws M13] (theme)
• cf. "The Gallant Shoemaker" (theme)

References

1. Laws M15, "The Iron Door"
2. Copper-SoBreeze, pp. 220-221, "Her Servant Man" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. SHenry H668, pp. 444-445, "Love Laughs at Locksmiths" (1 text, 1 tune)
4. OLochlainn-More 61, "The Young Serving Man" (1 text, 1 tune)
5. Tunney-SongsThunder, pp. 100-101, "Mary Ann" (1 text)
6. Kennedy 161, "The Iron Door" (1 text, 1 tune)
7. Peacock, pp. 590-591, "Since Love Can Enter an Iron Door" (1 text, 1 tune)
8. Creighton-NovaScotia 84, "Since Love Can Enter an Iron Door" (1 text, 1 tune)
9. Creighton-Maritime, p. 54, "Since Love Can Enter an Iron Door" (2 texts, 1 tune)
10. DT 580, IRONDOOR
11. Roud #539
12. BI, LM15