The Master Book of American Folk Song - Complete Text Source: https://archive.org/details/masterbookofamericanfolksong00shep ========================================================================================== No. 1 - Abel Brown (Vol. 3, source page 198) ========================================================================================== No. 1 ABEL BROWN also known as Abram Brown Rollicking Bill the Barnacle Bill the Sailor Sailor This song was a favorite "forecastle" piece for many years prior to appearing in print. According to Col- cord, the song was omitted from the first edition of her Roll and Go collection because the words were too dirty. Many of the old songs were omitted from pub lished collections for the same reason, but most of them survived via oral circulation anyhow. Abel Brown was not printed in the United States until 1928, when Prank Shay included three carefully edited stanzas in his More Pious Friends and Drunken Companions» In 1929, the song was rewritten and published as Barnacle Bill the Sailor , with words and music credited to Carson Robison, a well- known song-writer and popular country singer, and Frank Luther. Unfortunately, the copyright deposit copy can not be found. REFERENCES Colcord, 182-183 Shay (ASSC), 204 Greenleaf, 105 Shay (PF-2), 102 Harlow, 164-166 Shay (PF-3), 151 Hugill (1), 440-441 Abel Brown Version A Who's that rapping on my door? (3) Cried the fair young maiden. It's me, me love! and I'll roam no more, Said Abel Brown the sailor. So hurry, love, and open the door! Said Abel Brown the sailor. MB Song Texts 1283 I’ve heard all your lies before, (3) Cried the fair young maiden. I’ve brung me pay for to blow ashore, Said Abel Brown the sailor; So hurry, love, and open the door, Said Abel Brown the sailor. I'll come down and let you in, (3) Cried the fair young maiden. I’ll kiss your lips, your neck and chin. Said Abel Brown the sailor; We’ll go to bed and wallow in sin, Said Abel Brown the sailor. When will I see you again? (3) Cried the fair young maiden. I'm off to sea jus' like before. Said Abel Brown the sailor; And you'll never see me no more. Said Abel Brown the sailor. What if we should have a child? (3) Cried the fair young maiden. Jus' bounce the bastard on your knee, Said Abel Brown the sailor; And raise him up to be like me. Said Abel Brown the sailor. ( VERSION B) Who's that knocking at the door? Asked the fair young maiden. It's only me from over the sea, Said Barnacle Bill the sailor. MB Song Texts 1284 What do you want, I'd like to know? Asked the fair young maiden, 0 hurry! or I'll kick down this door, Said Barnacle Bill the sailor. I'll come down and let you in, Said the fair young maiden. Make up your bed, and make it up for two, Said Barnacle Bill the sailor. What if we should have a child? Asked the fair young maiden. The very thought is driving me wild. Said Barnacle Bill the sailor. ************************** ========================================================================================== No. 2 - The Abolitionist Hymn (Vol. 3, source page 200) ========================================================================================== Bo. 2 THE ABOLITIONIST HYMN also known as The Abolitionist Song This is a traditional political song. The country was divided over the issue of slavery long before the Civil War ripped the nation asunder. As the division widened between those agitating against slavery and those defend ing it, 3 ongs were written as a means of propagating the positions of both sides. This particular song originated in New England, and was sung to the air of the well-known hymn, Old Hundred (see in MB). REFERENCES Downes, 145, 173 Ives (SA), 288 Ives (SB), 210 Whitman, 104 The Abolitionist Hymn MB Song Text3 1285 We ask not that the slave should lie As lies his master, at his ease Beneath a silken canopy, Or in the shade of blooming trees. We seek not "eye for eye" that all Who forge the chain and ply the whip Should feel their torture, while the thrall Should wield the scourge of mastership We do agree that man should toil: It*a Nature’s need, it’s God’s decree; But let that hand that tills the soil Be like the wind that fans it—free. ***************************** ========================================================================================== No. 3 - Abraham Lincoln I (Vol. 3, source page 201) ========================================================================================== No. 3 ABRAHAM LINCOLN I also known as Abraham, Abraham Breck and Lane Lincoln vs Bell Lincoln vs Breckinridge Lincoln vs Douglas Old Abe and His Bights Sing a Song of Charleston Vote for Bell of Tennessee Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States, i®» with the possible exception of Bonnie Prince Charlie, the only political person to inspire so many ballads, songs, parodies and poems. Lincoln was both hated and loved, and those of both persuasions wrote down their views in rhyme and prose for their neighbors and posterity. Many of the musical pieces about Lin coln, pro as well as con, were written by professional songwriters out to make a buck; yet many more were cre ated by amateurs inspired by contempt and hatred or by MB Song Texts 1286 admiration and love. Tne big issue in 1860 was slavery. The wheels of danger were set in motion when the Democrats met in convention at Charleston, S. C., April, 1860. Hard core extremists among the Southern delegates walked out when they failed to get a plank in the platform that would give federal protection to slavery in the territories. Following their walk-out, the Democrats adjourned and reconvened at Baltimore, in June. Inbetween the two Democratic conventions, the new Republican Party held a convention of their own at Chicago and nominated Abraham Lincoln, Illinois, as their candidate and Hannibal Hamlin, Maine, to be his running mate. The dissenting Southern Democrats held a convention of their own, nominating John C. Breckin ridge, Kentucky, and Joseph Lane, Oregon. At Baltimore, the Northern Democrats nominated Steohen A. Douglas and Herschel 7. Johnson. Nor was this the end of the nominations. At Baltimore, early in May, remnants of the old Whigs and Know-Nothings came togeth er and formed the Constitutional Union Party and nomi nated John 3ell, Tennessee, and Edward Everett, Massa chusetts. Thus were the political battle lines drawn between four determined political camps. And, of course, all of them had scngs praising their own candidates and ridiculing the opposition. Here, in these headnotes, are samples from two ot the son & s 3t*ng duiing that campaign, and versions A, 3 and C given below are three others. These songs are not re- “ lated musically, but are representative of the songs used in the Presidential campaign. The Southern Democrats sang BRECK AND- LANE: Breck and Lane! Breck and Lane! Tried and true are the twain! Statesmen, not splinters of timber, Who, as captain and mate MB Song Texts 1287 Of this great Ship of Stats, The people will 3hip in November! The Constitutional Union Party sought votes by singing: 2>on*t you hear that rumbling sound, Those deep toned murmurs all around? The people’s voice ’tis known to be, Por old John Bell of Tennessee. The new Republican Party, engaged in its second Presi dential campaign, flooded the country with 3 ongs prais ing their candidates and ridiculing the opposition. Three of their songs, each set to a different air, are given below. Abraham Lincoln I A Tune: Dixie Abraham I Abraham! At Chicago they selected Lincoln, who will be elected! Abraham! Abraham! Abraham! Abraham! As Honest Abe the people know him, And all his actions go before him— A true man! A true man! A true man! A true man! Abraham Lincoln _I 2 Time: Sing a Song of Sixpence Hi Diddle Diddle! aka Sing a Song of Charleston • mmmmmmrnmKmmmmtm ************•**•' mammmmmmm « ■ ■ alb mrnrnrn mtmmmm i Sing a song of Charleston! Bottle full of Rye! All the Douglas delegates Knocked into a pi! Por when the vote was opened The South began to sing: You little Squatter Sovereign Shan’t be our King! MB Song Texts 1288 Chorus Hi diddle diddle! The Bred Scott riddle! The delegates scatter like loons! The Little Doug swears to see the sport, And the Southerners count their spoons! Abraham Lincoln I C Tune: Roger de Coverlv Old Abe and His Rights Tell us of his fight with Douglas, How his spirit never quails; Tell us of his manly bearing, Of his skill in splitting rails. Tell us he’s a eecond Webster, Or, if better, Henry Clay— That he '3 full of genial humor, Placid as a summer day. Anything you care to tell us We will take without a stricture. But, oh, don’t!—we beg and pray you— Don't, for God's sake, show his picture! ********************************* ========================================================================================== No. 4 - Abraham Lincoln II (Vol. 3, source page 204) ========================================================================================== Ho. 4 ABRAHAM LINCOLN II also known as Old Abe Lincoln Came Out of the Wilderness This short parody was one of Lincoln's more popular campaign song 3 . Carl Sandburg tells us, "Torch light processions of Republicans sang this in the summer and fall months of 1860" and "in Springfield, Illinois, the Tall Man...heard his two boys, Tad and Seng Texts 1289 ' W i l l i e , sing it to him." EBFBHENCSS ■Sandburg (AS), 168 -Silverman, I, 370 Sandburg (NAS), 36 Whitman, 114 Scott (PSS), 30 Abraham Lincoln II Tune: Out of the Wilderness II Old Abe Lincoln Oeme out of the wilderness. Out of the wilderness, Out of the wilderness. Old Abe Lincoln Came out of the wilderness, Down in Illinois* ========================================================================================== No. 5 - Abraham Lincoln III (Vol. 3, source page 205) ========================================================================================== Ho. 5 ABRAHAM LINCOLN III also known as Tankee Doodle for Abe Another of the songs from the 1860 Presidential campaign* Dor a longer text, see Luther, 172. Abraham Lincoln III Tune: Yankee Doodle Ya nk ee Doodle does as well As anybody can, sir; And like the ladies, he's for Abe And Union to a man, sir. Yankee Doodle never fails, When he resolves to try, sir; To elect a man who can't split the rails— Ihat*s just "all my eye", sir. MB Song Texts 1290 Yankee Doodle's come to town, And on mature reflection, He's gonna do the Slavites brown At the next election. Yankee Doodle cuts a swell, Altho' he will not bet, sir; Yet he goes in for Abraham And Hamlin of old Maine, sir. And he invites you one and all. Ho matter what your station. To vote for Freedom and Free Soil— And that will save the Nation! *** **-»*■»** ****** ******* *■**•»* ========================================================================================== No. 6 - Abraham Lincoln IV (Vol. 3, source page 206) ========================================================================================== No. 6 ABRAHAM LINCOLN IV also known as Get Out the Way, You Little Giant Lincoln's supporters made this one of the most popular campaign songs of 1860. The Democrats probably didn't care much for it, but they, in turn, took several simi lar musical shots at their oppisition. Abraham Lincoln IT Tune: Old Dan Tucker Get Out the Way , You Little Giant Old Abe is coming down to fight, To put the Democrats to flight; He's coming with the wedge and maul, And he will split 'em, one and all! Chorus MB Song Texts 1291 Get out the way, you little giant! (3) You can’t come in, you’re too short and pliant! Old Abe lives in a big log hut. He can drive the wedge and use the glut! He swings the maul and when he hits, It goes in the ground or else it splits. Old Abe knows how to drive the team, Because he never goes by steam; But now the ox-goad he will use And dust the giant in his shoes! ========================================================================================== No. 7 - Abraham Lincoln 7 (Vol. 3, source page 207) ========================================================================================== No. 7 ABRAHAM LINCOLN 7 also known as Lincoln and Liberty This was probably the best known song of the I860 Presi dential campaign. It was by far the easiest to sing. The old Irish air, to which the words were set, Yougal Har bour, was already popular throughout America as Rosin the Bow (see in MB). The words of the song below were written by P. A. Simkins. REFERENCES Downes, 146, 176 Sandburg (AS), 167 Llloyd, 51 r Silber (HSB), 20 Lomax (FSNA), 97 Silverman, II, 280 Randolph, II, 371 Whitman, 114 Abraham Lincoln V Tune: Rosin the Bow Lincoln and Liberty Hurrah for the choice of the nation, Our chieftain so brave and so true! We'll go for the great reformation, For Lincoln and Liberty, too! KB Song Texta 1292 Chorus For Lincoln and Liberty, too! (2) We*11 go for the great reformation, For Lincoln and Liberty, too! We*11 go for the son of Kentucky, The hero of Hoosierdom through! The pride of all Illinois— For Lincoln and Liberty, too! For Lincoln and Liberty, too! (2) The pride of all Illinois— For Lincoln and Liberty, too! They’ll find what by falling and mauling Our rail-maker statesman can do; For the people are everywhere calling For Lincoln and Liberty, too! For Lincoln and Liberty, too! (2) For the people are everywhere calling For Lincoln and Liberty, too! Then up with our banner so glorious, The star-spangled red, white and blue! We’ll fight till our banner’s victorious. For Lincoln and Liberty, too! For Lincoln and Liberty, too! (2) We’ll fight till our banner’s victorious, For Lincoln and Liberty, too! ********* * •»****•»■***** ******** 1293 KB ========================================================================================== No. 8 - Abraham Lincoln VI (Vol. 3, source page 209) ========================================================================================== Ho. 8 ABRAHAM LINCOLN VI also known as Lincoln Hoss and Stephen A. Lincoln vs Douglas In this 1860 Presidential campaign song, Lincoln and Douglas are symbolized as horses. Abraham Lincoln VI Tune: Camptown Races There's an old plow "hoss” whose name is "Doug," Doo-dah, doo-dah, He *8 short and thick— a regular "plug," Oh! doo-dah day. Chorus We're bound to work all night. We're bound to work all day, I'll bet my money on the "Lincoln hoss," Who bets on Stephen A.? The "Little Plug" has had his day, Doo-dah, doo-dah, He's out of the ring, by all fair play, Oh! doo-dah day. The "Little *Doug" can never win, Doo-dah, doo-dah, That Kansas job's too much for him, Oh! doo-dah day. His legs are weak, his wind unsound, Doo-dah, doo-dah, His "switch tail's" too near the ground, Oh! doo-dah day. *** ******•#•-*•*■**•*■**** MB 1294 ========================================================================================== No. 9 - Abraham Lincoln VII (Vol. 3, source page 210) ========================================================================================== So* 9 ABRAHAM LINCOLN VII also known as The Abe-iad All the songs about Lincoln were not favorable—and particularly not after he became President. For ex ample, Southerners sang: Old Abe’s elected, so they say, Along with Darkey Hamlin; The Yankees think they'll gain the day By nigger votes and gamblin'. There were many such anti-Lincoln songs in circulation in the North, too, as illustrated by the musical lam poon given below, which was published after the Civil War had begun. A facsimile reproduction of the original sheet music i® in Jordan, 370—372. Another version is given in Glass (SS-2), 47-49. Abraham Lincoln VII Abe Lincoln was a Citizen of very small renown, A railing abolitioner, of little Springfield town. Abe's party said, "November comes, now Abe, don't let us fail To meet the other parties all, and beat them with a rail!" November came, the rogues turned out, and yet *twas not allowed, That Abe should come, lest Ab'ram's face should fright away the crowd! The crowd, the crowd, should fright away the crowd! **♦****♦«*»*»****#♦**#** MB Song Texts 1295 ========================================================================================== No. 10 - Abraham Lincoln VIII (Vol. 3, source page 211) ========================================================================================== So. 10 ABRAHAM LINCOLN VIII also known as Where Are You Going, Abe Lincoln? Satirical songs (such as this one) were very popular in the Confederate States, because the "South” held President Lincoln directly responsible for the "War of Seccession." REFERENCES Allan (LSB), 31 Glass (SS-2), 64 Bulletin (VPS), VI, 6 Luther, 206 Davis (TBV), 258 Abraham Lincoln VIII Tune: Lord Lovel Abe Lincoln stood by the White House gate A-combing his milk-white steed; Along came his lady Lizzie Todd A-wishing her lover good speed, speed, speed, A-wishing her lover good speed. Where are you going, Lord Abe? she said; Where are you going? says she. I'm going, my dear Lizzie, he says, Our Richmond for to see, etc . He hadn't been gone more’n a week or two. Pair Richmond for to see. When back he came to the White House gate— All tatttered and torn was he, etc, I'm out of breath, Abe Lincoln he said; I'm out of breath, says he. The Rebels have killed my old Scott horse, And so I skedaddle de, etc. MB Song Texts 1296 They tore my plaid and long tail blue, And my long tail blue, said he; My McClellan horse, I think will do. And I'll ride him around, said he, etc. He hadn't been gone more'n a week or two Old Dixie for to see, When back he cane to the White House gate — His Lizzie Todd he must see, etc , How do you flourish, Abe Lincoln? she said; How dod you flourish? said she. My coat is tore down on the Lee shore Of Chic-o-hom-i-nee, nee, etc, You look so lank and lean, she said; You look so lank and lean, said she. My horse fell down on an Old Stonewall, Down in the land of Dixi-e, ee, etc. Then Abe Lincoln bestrode his Burnside horse, But he dodged at the Rebel fire, And he threw the Baboon heels over head, And there he stuck in the mire, ire, ire, And there he stuck in the mire! ♦a***********************.* ========================================================================================== No. 11 - Abraham Lincoln IX (Vol. 3, source page 212) ========================================================================================== No, 11 ABRAHAM LINCOLN IX also known as Por Honest Old Abe and Licoln vs Little Mac Johnson, Too Southern victories during the first years of the Civil War made it difficult for Lincoln to function, and his MB Song Texts 1297 popularity was at a low ebb. In addition to defeat- est and racist anti-Lincoln songs issued by Democrats, who, in 1864, were being called "Copperheads,- Lincoln faced merciless attack from foes within his own party and administration. More and more Republicans doubted his chances for re-election. But during the summer and autumn of 1864 the tide was turned as a result of a string of Northern victories. When the Republicans convened at Baltimore in June, Lincoln was unanimously nominated. Andrew Johnson, Tennessee, was his running Abraham Lincoln IX — Tune: Harrison vs Van Buren III What has caused this great commotion, motion, motion, The country through? It is the ball that’s rolling on For Honest Old Abe and Johnson too. For Honest Old Abe and Johnson too. And with them we’ll beat Little Mac, Mac, Mac! Mac is off the track! And with them we'll beat Little Mac. « Have you heard the news from Mobile, Mobile, Mobile, So good and true? Farragut is a—pushing on For Honest Old Abe and Johnson too, For Honest Old Abe and Johnson too. And with them we'll beat Little Mac, etc. MB Song Texts 1298 Have you heard the booming cannon, cannon, cannon, Atlanta through? Our soldier boys are fighting on. For Honest Old Abe and Johnson too, For Honest Old Abe and Johnson too. etc. On this line we'll fight it out, out, out, Though all looks blue. Meade and Grant will have Richmond yet. For Honest Old Abe and Johnson too, For Honest Old Abe and Johnson too. etc. The Chicago Platform is going down, down, down, The country through. So is little failure Mac, For Eonest Old Abe and Johnson too, For Honest Old Abe and Johnson too. etc . Have you heard the news from Maine, Maine, Maine, So good and true, That all the world seems turning round For^Honest Old Abe and Johnson too, For Hcne3t Old Abe and Johnson too. etc . Copperheads are in commotion, motion, motion. What can they do? War Democrats are coming round For Honest Old Abe and Johnson too, For Honest Old Abe and Johnson too. etc. •ft******************** MB song Texts 1299 ========================================================================================== No. 12 - Abraham Lincoln X (Vol. 3, source page 215) ========================================================================================== Bo. 12 ABRAHAM LINCOLN X also known as Old Honest Abe This anonymous Southern satire on Lincoln was printed in Songs of the South . Richmond, 1863. The "Scott" and "Wool" referred to in the 3rd stanza are General Winfield Scott and General John E. Wool, senior officers of the U. S. Army when the Civil War began. Abraham Lincoln X Tune: Yankee Doodle Old honest Abe, you are a babe In military glory; An arrant fool—a party tool— A traitor and a tory. You are a boss, a mighty hoss A-snortin' in the stable; A racer, too, a kangaroo— So whip us if you’re able. If Scott and Wool should at us pull Across the country level, We’ll meet them there and fight them fair. And thrash them like the devil. For Wool and Scott will never squat. But one thing you'll discover, That Wool will fly and Scott will die Before he whips his mother. Oh, Mister Link, what do you think About the Southern cattle. That horns you so wherever you go And whips you every battle? ******************* MB Song Texts 1300 ========================================================================================== No. 13 - Acres Op Clams (Vol. 3, source page 216) ========================================================================================== No. 13 ACRES OP CLAMS also known as The Old Settler Old Settler’s Song This is a parody of a popular frontier song, Rosin the Bow (see in MB). The text of Acres of Clams was so widely known and loved in Washington terri tory that, in 1889, when when Washington became a state, the song was adopted officially. REFERENCES Agay (1), 48 Agay (2), 75 Botkin (WFL), 747 Edwards (CHSB), 92 Fowke (SWF), 138 Ives (SA), 185 Ives (SB), 272 Kennedy (TAB), 363 Leisy (SPS), 30-31 Lingenfelter, 555 Lomax (USA), 184 Silber (HSB), 80 Silber (SGAW), 153 Silverman, I, 21 Toelken (NT3), 17 Acres of Clams Tunet Rosin the Bow I’ve wandered all over this country Prospecting and digging for gold; I've tunneled, hydraulicked and cradled, And I have been frequently sold. Chorus And I have been frequently sold, And I have been frequently sold; I've tunneled, hydraulicked and cradled, And I have been frequently sold. For one who got rich by mining, I saw there were hundreds grew poor; I made up my mind to try farming, The only pursuit that is sure. MB Song Texts 1301 The only pursuit thet is pure, (2) X made up my mind to try farming, The only pursuit that is sure. I rolled up my grub in my blanket, I left all my tools on the ground; I started one morning to shank it For the country they call Puget Sound. For the country they call Puget Sound (2) I started one morning to shank it For the country they call Puget Sound. No longer the slave of ambition, I laugh at the world and its sham. And I think of my happy condition Surrounded by acres of clams. Surrounded by acres of clams (2) And I think of my happy condition Surrounded by acres of clams. *********************** ========================================================================================== No. 14 - Adam and Eve (Vol. 3, source page 217) ========================================================================================== No. 14 ADAM AND EVE also known as Adam and Eve's Wedding Song Wedlock Adam's Bride When Adam was Creation When Adam was The Honest Man's Favorite Created Created First Of English origin, this song was popular in America when Abraham Lincoln was a boy. In fact, Lincoln was once credited with being song's author. He did sing it at his sister's wedding and listed it as being a- mong his favorite songs. Versions of this song is in many old song-books, par ticularly in England. A broadside copy is on file in the MB Song Texts 1302 Harvard library Collection (25242. 5. 7), p. 45. A version in the 1855 edition of the Social Harp lists Henry F. Chandler as composer. Another version, with an entirely different tune, is in the Original Sacred Harp, 1902, p. 115, and the melody is attributed to Elder E. Dumas, dated 1869. Por other songs with the same theme, see: Baring-Gould (SW), IV, No. 100; 3ell (APBS), 451; Broadwood (ECS), 176 & Williams (PSUT), 215. REFERENCES Brown, III, 84; V, 46 Downes (1940), 100 Jackson (DSS), 77 Jackson (ESUS), 70 Jackson (SFS), 41, 74 Jackson (WSSU), 198 Jour (API), XII, 250 Kidson (TT), 153 Lair (SLL), 25 Lomax (ABPS), 567 Luther, 79 McCurry, 188 Sharp, II, 272 White & King, 115 Adam and Eve When Adam wae created He dwelled in Eden’s shade, As Moses has related, Before his bride was made. Ten thousand times ten thousand Of creatures swarmed around, Before his bride was form-ed, Or any mate was found. He had no conversation, He was surely alone; Then to his admiration He lost a big rib bone. Great was his exaltation When first he saw his bride; Great his ele\ r ation To have her by his side. MB Song Texts 1303 That woman was not taken From Adam J s head, we know, And she must not rule him, Nor drive his spirit low. That woman was not taken From Adam's feet, we see, So he could never kick her, The meaning aeems to he he. ********************** ========================================================================================== No. 13 - Adam Et Eve (Vol. 3, source page 219) ========================================================================================== No. 13 ADAM ET EVE This old French comolainte , which makes no attempt at humor, arrived in North America early in the 18th century. It was popular in French Canada and in the French settlements within the United States, For a more complete version, collected in Vincennes, In diana, see Berry, 85-88. A French-Canadian version is in Gagnon, 161-167. Adam et Eve In a # garden filled with flowers And wonderful how'rs, God created man in His image. Thus God above show'd all mankind the proof Of hi9 Divine care and love. Adam at rest there all alone, With sin unknown, On the green grass of Eden lying, Tranquil, sublime. And then the lord caused him to slumber Just for a time. MB Song Tezts 1304 A«* Adam slept, quietly supine r His Lord Divine Removed from him a rib so gently. Healing his side; And God the Lord then formed a woman, Helpmeet and bride, Adam did awake, saw her and cried; At mine own side Is a woman I shall love deeply, Formed of my bone. Let her be mine, heavenly bounty, Be mine alone. And Adam, sire of sinful man, Offered his hand To Eve, the fair delightful woman And tender wife. Then kneeling there with her beside him, Thanked God for life. ************************ *** ========================================================================================== No. 16 - Adam Gordon (Vol. 3, source page 220) ========================================================================================== No. 16 ADAM GORDON also known as Adam Gorman Adam O’Gordon Captain Car, or Carr Edom 0 Gordon This old ballad appears to have been more popular in New England than anywhere el=e in America. Attention was drawn to the ballad in this country because it was recorded by Child a? No. 178. Based as it is upon Scottish political and military activity in 1571, the ballad is of historical significance. George Gordon, Catholic Earl of Huntly, supported Mary, Queen of Scots, during the years following the as- MB Song Texts 1305 sassination of the Regent Murray. A rival clan, the Forbes, supported the King’s party and the Reformed Faith. Adam Gordon, George's brother, either sent Thomas Ker, a professional soldier, or led the troops himself, on a raid against Forbes' property, in Nov. 1571. When the raiders arrived at the Castle of Towie, they found it defended only by servants of the house hold and the owner's wife. When the lady refused to surrender the Castle, the place was sacked, burned, and twenty-seven members of the family and most of the servants were put to the sword. REFERENCES Child, III, 423 Flanders, III, 173 Flanders (BMNE), 134 Flanders (VFSB), 19 Friedman, 256 Greig & Duncan, No. 231 Hales, I, 79 Houseman, 207 Kinloch MSS, V, 384 Kinsley, 598 leach (BB), 488 Motherwell MS., 543 Muir, 213 Ritson (AS), 137 Ritson (SS), II, 17, 362 Quarterly (SFI), I, No. 2, 9-11 Quiller-Couch, 342 Adam Gordon Now just around the Martinmass, When cold winds froze the lake, 01' Adam Gordon told his men, "Yon castle we must take." When Gordon saw the lady safe, The gates and windows fast, He fell into a deadly rage And called to her aghast: "Come down to me, 0 Lady gay, Come down come down to me; This night you shall be in my arms, My loving bride to be." MB Song Texts 1306 "I'll not come down, thou false Gordon, I'll not come down to thee; I'll not forsake my own dear lord. Though he is far from me.” "Give up thou house, 0 Lady fair, Give up thy house to me! Or I shall burn thyself therein, With thy dear babies three.” "I'll not give up, thou false Gordon, Thy threatenings I defy! If thou dost burn my babes and me, Together v. f e shall die.” "Now fire the house!" false Gordon cried, Enraged with vengeful ire; "0 Lady, thou shalt rue this deed, When shrieking in the fire!” 0 then did speak her little son, Upon his nurse's knee, "0 mother, dear, give up this house; The smoke it smothers me.” "I would give all my gold, my child, And likewise all my fee For one blast of the western wind. To blow the smoke from thee.” 0 then bespoke her daughter dear, So slender, fair, and small, ”0 roll me in a pair of sheets And throw me o'er the wall." They rolled her in a pair of sheets And threw her o'er the wall, But on the point of Gordon's spear She got a deadly fall. MB Song Texts 1307 Then Gordon did his bugle blow And cried, "Away, away! Since Towie house is all in flames. We must no longer stay!” The looked up her own dear lord, As he came o’er the lea; He saw his castle in a blaze As far as he could see. Then sorely did his mind turn dark. His heart was full of woe, ••Ride on, ride on, my trusty men. As fast as you can go! n Then some did ride and some did run. No swifter flew the wind! For each cried, "Woe upon the head Of him who lags behind!" But ere the foremost could come up, The flames had spread so wide, The tender babes were burnt alive; Their mother with them died. Her lord did wildly rent his hair, And wept in woeful mood; "Ah, traitors, for this cruel deed Yo shall weep tears of blood!" ********************* ========================================================================================== No. 17 - Adams vs Jefferson (Vol. 3, source page 223) ========================================================================================== No. 17 ADAMS VS JEFFERSON also known as Adams and Liberty The Boston Patriotic Song America's first three Presidential elections were different from thos that followed, primarily because MB Song Texts 1308 the ruling faction was not a political party per se but a group of influential leaders who were in agree ment on what ought to he done. The Presidential elec tions of 1788 and 1792 were congests between individ uals, not political parties. Even George Washington was not without opposition candidates in 1788. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, and others, were also candidates in 1792. Adams got more votes than any candidate except Washington in both campaigns and was therefore automatically installed as Vice-President. The song, Adams vs Jefferson deals with the 1796 cam paign, in which the issues were clear-cut and from which Washington had withdrawn his name . The battle line was drawn between Federalists and anti-Federalists, the latter becoming known as Democratic-Republicans in Congress. The main battle-line separated federal power from state power advocates. The Federalists were a pro-central govenment contingent in Congress; they met in a Congressional caucus to dis cuss policy, plans and procedure. In 1796 they pledged their support to John Adams of Massachusetts, and Thomas Pinckney of South Carolina. The anti-Federalists held a caucus and agreed to sup port Thomas Jefferson of Virginia and Aaron Burr of New York, men who did not want to see the federal govern ment become more powerful than the states. The system of Congressional caucuses flourished until 1824. It was a system that had nothing whatever to do with the views of the people and was a great way to perpetuate the rule of those already in power. Less important members of the factions had nothing to say about the selection of candidates at the presidential level and the general public had no choice whatsoever. Aside from George Washington, who was not a candidate . but received two electoral votes anyway, there were twelve candidates in 1796. Song Texts 1309 KB When the votes were finally counted, the 1796 election came out as follows: John Adams, Massachusetts, 74 Thomas Jefferson, Virginia, 68 Thomas Pinckney, South Carolina, 59 Aaron Burr, New York, 30 Samuel Adams, Massachusetts, 15 Oliver Ellsworth, Connecticut, 11 George Clinton, New York, 7 John Jay, New York, 5 James Iredell, North Carolina, 3 John Henry, Maryland, 2 Samuel Johnson, North Carolina, 2 Charles C. Pinckney, South Carolina, 1 Accordingly, John Adams "became President and Thomas Jefferson, runner-up, became Vice-President. This set the stage for the campaign of 1800, when things would he quite different (see Jefferson vs Adams I in MB). The song below was classified as a "patriotic" song in the days of its popularity, but it was and is clearly political. A sheet music version, entitled Adams and Liberty . The Boston Patrioitic Song , was issued at Boston in 1798, and the words and music were credited to "Thomas Paine." Actually, the words were written by Robert Treat Paine, Jr., whose father was one of the signers of the Delcaration of Independence. The tune is the same as that used for The Star-Spangled Banner , which was originally an Italian air borrowed by Samuel Arnold for his famous hunting song, Anacreon in Heaven. REFERENCES Jackson (ESUS), 79 Johnson (PS), 589 Lloyd, 28-29 Lawrence, 148 Rabson, 82-93 Spaeth (RETT), 11 Silber (SAVB), 23 MB Song Texts 1310 Adams vs Jefferson Te sons of Columbia, who bravely have fought For those rights which unstained from your sires have descended. May you long taste the blessings your valor has bought, And your sons reap the soil which your fathers defended. Mid the reign of mild peace, may your nation increase, With the glory of Home and the wisdom of Greece; And ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls a wave. In a clime whose rich vales feed the marts of the world, Whose shores are unshaken by Europe's commotion. The trident of commerce should never be hurl'd To increase the legitimate pow'rs of the ocean. But should pirates invade, tho* in thunder array'd, Let your cannon declare the free charter of trade. For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves, While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls a wave. ♦♦******■»■»•*•********•»■»•******•* ========================================================================================== No. 18 - Adelita (Vol. 3, source page 226) ========================================================================================== Ho. 18 * ADELITA This song, with its beautiful air, originated in Mexico and is, perhaps, the most popular of all that country's revolutionary pieces. It is sung by Mexicans every where, being particularly well-known in California and the Southwest. There are dozens of stanzas in Spanish and, according to Carl Sandburg, new ones are being constantly added. For other versions, see: Luther, 72; Sandburg (AS), 300; and Silverman, I, 267. MB Song Text3 1311 Adelita Adelita*s the name of my lady. She’s my darling, my sweetheart, my dear; I shall never, no, never forget her— How I wish that my lady were here. Chorus Aye, aye, aye! Adelita! Aye, aye, aye! Cooing dove! Aye, aye. aye! Adelita! Aye, aye, aye! Adelita, my love! Adelita has said that she loves me, One night as we strolled neath the stars; I kissed her and held her all evening, As we danced to a thousand guitars. Now the trumpet of battle is sounding— It’s off to the army for me; In the midst of the dead and the dying, Adelita’8 sad eyes I will see. Should I happen to fall in the battle, Remember how I loved you, my dear; Adelita, for God's sake remember, In spirit I'll always be near. ******* ***************** ========================================================================================== No. 19 - Advice to American Girls (Vol. 3, source page 227) ========================================================================================== No. 19 ADVICE TO AMERICAN GIRLS also known as The Arkansas Roys Come, All You Mississippi The Arkansas Sheik Girls The Cheyenne Boys Come, All You Virginia Girls MB Song Texts 1312 Don't Marry the Mormon Boys Don't You Marry Those Texan Boys Hello, Girls Hoecake Hoe-cake, Hominy and Sassa- frass Tea If You Want to Go A-Courting Illinois Gals Johnny Cake Johnny Cake and Venison Johnson Boys The Kansas Beys Kentucky Girls Mississippi Gals, or Girls Missouri Boys On the Road to Californi The Tennessee Boys The Texan (Texian) Boys The Ways of Arkansas The West Virginia Boys This song expresses a form of frontier satire that was once quite popular. Satire is always directed at a neighboring community or State and usually, as with this piece, it is adapted to the community in which it is sung. There are hundreds of versions of this song in circulation, but only four of them are given below. For closely related pieces, see Johnson Boys in lomax (FSNA), 223 and The Old Leather Bonnet in Randolph, III 222 . REFERENCES Allsopp, II, 207 Belden (BS), 426-428 Botkin (WFL), 783-784 Brown, III, 394; V, 237 Cazden, II, 66-67 Cheney, 186-187 Coleman, 26 Cox (FSS), 254 Fife, 22, 25 Ford (TMA), 40 Fuson, 158 Hubbard, 424 Koch (2), 12-13 Lingenfelter, 452-453 Lomax (CS), 108, 338 Lomax (PB), 40 Lunsford, 56 Lynn (CS), 9 McIntosh (FSSG), 25 Nebraska (3), 4-5 Okun, 137-138 Owens (TFS), 110-112 Pound, 175-176 Pound (SFSN), VII, No. 5 Porter (KS), 229-301 Randolph, III, 12-14 Randolph (OASPS), 219 Sandburg (AS), 128-129 MB Song Texts 1313 Sharp, II, 7 B Silber (HSB), 70 Silverman, I, 102, 353, 370 Thorp, 1-2 Advice to American Girls ( Version A) Come all you American girls and listen to my noise, Don't ever marry them European boys, Por if you do, your portion will be Heartaches, loneliness, and watered-down tea, Heartaches, loneliness, and watered-down tea. They all have a line that really thrills, But how they live is the thing that chills; They’ll rant and rave about Europe's joys, But treat womenfolk like they was toys They talk of the castles o'er their way, But you're the one expected to pay, A farm to them is a used-up field— A peck to the acre is all the yield. It's hard times, girls, take it from me; Just you marry one, and then you'll see! They'll call you "Miss’* but never "honey," And all they want is American money! Version B Now all you Missouri girls, come listen to my noise: You better not wed them Texan boys! Cause if you do your portion will be Hoecake, hominy, and chickery tea. They'll take you way back in the hills And u*»e you often against your wills; MB Song Texts 1314 They’ll put a thousand wrinkles in your face. For that’s how it is with the Texas race. They milk their cows in an old gourd, Leave it standing, covered with a board; Out on the prairies where they stay, The sun keeps shining night and day. When they go to church, here’s what they wear: Old cowhides and greasy hair, A wide-brim hat with pushed in crown, And socks that keep on falling down. ▼ersion C Come all you Mississippi gals and listen to my noise: If you happen to go West, don’t marry them Texian boys! If you do your fortune surely will be Cold Johnny Cake, beefsteak—that’s all you’ll see. When they come a-courtin’ here’s what they wear: An old leather jacket and pants with a tear; And an old brown hat with the brim wore down, And a pair of dirty socks a-draggin' on the ground. When one comes in, the first thing you hear Is, "Madam, your brother has killed a dear." The very next thing, when they sit down, Is, "Madam, the johnny cake is too damn brown!" They live in huts with hewed logs for a wall, Slap-up doors and no windows at all; MB Song Texts 1315 And a clapboard roof and a puncheon floor— That’s how they live out there, all o’er. Por supper you’ll get beef and corn-bread— That's what you’ll eat when the ceremony’s oald , Some gets little and some gets none, Por that's how they are, those Tex-i-ansl Tersion D Come all girls, pay attention to my voice, And don’t fall in love with them Kansas boys. ’Cause if you do your fortune's gonna be Hoe-cake, hominy, and sassafrass tea. Chorus Oh, on the road to California, •Twas such a long, hard, tiresome journey, Par across the Rocky Mountains, Crystal springs and flowing fountains. They take their wives to a jet black hill And they plant them there all against their will; You are sure to perish on the plains, Por that's how it is with the Kansas range. You’ll live in a cabin with a huge log wall With no windows anywhere at all; A sandstone chimney, a punch-board floor, A clap-board roof and a buttonhole door! ********************** MB Song Texts 1316 ========================================================================================== No. 20 - Ah! Si Mon Moine Voulait Danser! (Vol. 3, source page 232) ========================================================================================== No. 20 AH! SI MON MOINE VOULAIT DANSER! also known as If My Old Top Were a Dancing Man French-Canadian song that is more popular in Quebec than elsewhere in North America, but it was not unknown to the French populations of New Orleans, St. Louis, and old Vin cennes. References Gagnon, 129-130 Gibbon, 48-30 Silverman, I, 296 No . 20; Ah! Si Ivlon Moine Voulait Danser ! Ah! si mon moine voulait danser! Ah! si mon moine voulait danser! Un ceinturon je lui donnerais. Un ceinturon je lui donnerais. Danse, mon moin', danse! Tu n'entends pas la danse, Tu n'entends pas la danse, Ion, la, Tu n'entends pas mon moulin marcher. Ah! si mon moine voulait danser! (2) Un chapelet je lui donnerais. (2) Danse, mon moin', danse!, etc. Ah! si mon moine voulait danser! (2) Un froc de bur' je lui donnerais. (2) Danse, mon moin', danse, etc . Ah! si mon moine voulait danser! (2) Un beau psautier je lui donnerais. (2) Danse, mon moin', danse, etc. S'il n'avait fait voeu de pauvrete! (2) Bien a'autres chos' je lui donnerais. (2) Danse, mon moin', danse, etc. MB: Song Texts 1317 English text If my old top were a dancing nan! (2) A sa«*h to fit I would give him then. (2) Dance, old top, then, dance in! Oh, you don’t care for dancing, Oh, you don’t care for my mill, la la! Oh, you don't care how my mill runs on. If my old top were a dancing man! (2) A cap to fit I would give him then. (2) Dance, old top, then, dance in!, etc. If my old top were a dancing man! (2) A suit of serge I would give him then. (2) Dance, old top, then, dance in!, etc. If my old top were a dancing man! (2) A psalter fine I would give him then. (2) Dance, old top, then, dance in!, etc. Had he not vowed he would poor remain, (2) A lot more things I would give him then, (2) Dance, old top, then, dance in!, etc. ** ****•*•**•***■*•»*•**-*•***■*■** * ========================================================================================== No. 21 - A-eunting We. Will Go (Vol. 3, source page 233) ========================================================================================== No. 21 A-EUNTING WE. WILL GO also known as Hunting 0! A-Runting We Will Go Oh, Have You Seen the Shah? This old English game song is also traditional and widely known in America. Collectors have generally ignored it because it is available in many commercial books used in public and private schools through-out the country. In England it is still considered to be MB Song Text 1318 a folk song and may be found in many published col lections. For an English "political" parody, see: Ashton (MSB), 340-342. REFERENCES Bancroft, 349 Bertail, 134 Burne, 574 Pamsworth, 94 Forbush, 40 Gomme, I, 243 Greenleaf, 380 Hornby, 36 A-Bunting We Will Go A-hunting we will go, A-hunting we will go; We*ll catch an old fox And put him in a box, A-hunting we will go. Oh, have you seen the Shah? Oh, have you seen the Shah? He lights his pipe On a star-light night— Oh, have you seen the Shah? We'll skip across the stream, We'll skip across the stream; We'll step upon the rocks And not wet our socks, We'll skip across the stream. **♦***•**•*■ *■***■**** #■*.*** ========================================================================================== No. 22 - Ain't Gonna Be Treated This-a Way (Vol. 3, source page 234) ========================================================================================== No. 22 AIN'T GONNA BE TREATED THIS-A WAY aleo known as Going Down the Road Peelin' Bad I Ain't Gwine Be Treated This-a Way I'm Going Down This Road Peeling Bad M3 Song Texts 1320 ========================================================================================== No. 23 - Ain't Gonna Rain No More (Vol. 3, source page 235) ========================================================================================== No. 23 AIN'T GONNA RAIN NO MORE also known as Ain't Going to Rain No More It Ain't Gwina Rain No Mo' Hurry, Boys, Hurry T'aint Gonna Rain No Mo' This song serves as an excellent example of the folk process. It originally derived from various Negro and Minstrel-show songs, but the composite that evolved flowed into the folk stream where it was finally fished out by Wendall Hall, a professional composer. Hall took a folk version, rewrote it as a popular dance song, and it became a commercial and very popular hit. 7,'hen the popularity of Hall's version waned, the song drifted once again into the folk stream, where once more it was subjected to the process of adaptation and change. Earliest versions date from the 1870s, but there are indications that some versions are much older. Lines and stanzas in mo^t old versions are also found in other songs, such as: Run . Nigger . Run in Harris (URHF), 200 and Lomax (ABFS), 230; Raise a Rukus Tonight and Swine To Get a Home By an' By in Odum, 173-173; John Booker and Oh, Mourner! in Perrow, XXVIII, 135, 138; Pore Mournah and My; Ole Mistis in Scarborough (NFS), 106, 165, 194 , 223-225; Promises of Freedom in Talley, 25-26 and White, 134, 151-152; Some Folks Say in Bass, XLIV, 425; They Steal Gossip in Talley, 110 and White, 138; Whar Lid You Cum From in White, 449; Way Lown Yonder in the Cornfield in Shay (PF-1), 79; Blackbird and Rabbit in Dudley & Payne, I, 10, 12. Also see and compare: Steely, 217 and Wells, 277. REFERENCES Botkin (APPS), 322-328 Brown, III, 517; V, 288 Dcuthitt, 37-38 374 Finger (?B), 163-164 Jour (AFL), XXIV, 277 MB Song Texts 1319 This in a composite song, made up of lines and stanzas formerly heard in other songs. There are several ver sion* floating around, the better known one by Woody Guthrie. Song has much in common with Takes A Worried Man . Both songs are undoubtedly of Negro origin. REFERENCES Botkin (AFL), 876-877 Brown, III, 524; V, 297 Bulletin (TFS), IV, 80 Downes, 341, 400 Hille, 9 Ives (SA), 240-241 Leisy, 127-128 Leisy (SPS), 28-29 Lomax (USA), 242 Scott (BA), 346-347 Silverman, II, 372 Whitman, 82-83 Ain 1 t Gonna Be Treated This-a Way I'm walking round this town feeling bad, I'm walking round this town feeling bad, I'm walking round this town feeling bad, 0 Lord! And I ain't gonna be treated this-a way! Lone lost the best gal I ever had (3), 0 Lord! And I ain't gonna be treated this-a way! A little match-box will hold my clothes, (3) 0 Lord! And I ain't, etc. I'm goin' where the cold wind never blows, (3) Lord, Lord! And I ain't gonna be, etc. I'll lace up my shoes and hit the road, (3) Lord, Lord! And I ain't gonna be, etc. I'm goin' down this road feeling bad, (3) 0 Lord! And I ain't gonna be, etc. ********************** MB Seng Texts 1321 Randolph, III, 369-370 ' Scott (BA), 212-213 Sandburg (AS), 141 White, 281-282 Scarborough (NFS), 107 Ain*t Gonns Rain No More Ain*t gonna rain no more, no more, Ain*t gonna rain no more! Now how in hell can old folks tell It ain’t gonna rain no more? I went out and looked around, Ain’t gonna rain no more! Liquid sunshine came pouring down, Ain't gonna rain no more! What did the weatherman say today? Ain’t gonna rain no more! Brink up, boys, and sing away, Ain't gonna rain no more! Bet you five, I'll bet you ten, Ain't gonna rain no more! Come on, now, sing it. again, Ain't gonna rain no more! I'm forty miles from whiskey, folks, I'm oixty-five from gin; I'm leavin' this damn country now, 'Cause it's over-run with sing! Ain't gonna rain no more, no more, Ain’t gonna rain no more! Now how in hell can old folks tell It ain't gonna rain no more! ****************- MB Song Texts 1322 ========================================================================================== No. 24 - Ain't Got a Dollar to My Name (Vol. 3, source page 238) ========================================================================================== No. 24 AIN'T GOT A DOLLAR TO MY NAME also known as My Last Gold Dollar My Last Old Dollar is Gone An off-shoot of early Negro blues pieces, this inter esting little song exists in many variants and vers ions. The first stanza of the version collected in the Ozarks by Randolph is a floater: I wish I had never been born Or had died when I young; I wish I had never kissed your sweet red lips. Or listened to your lyin' tongue. Age of this song is uncertain, but I have known it since I wa® a boy, in grade school. REFERENCES Lomax (F3NA), 288 Richardson (AMS), 96 Randolph, IV, 114 Ain't Got A Dollar To My Name I ain't got a dollar to my name, I ain't got a dollar to my name; Ky rent is over-due, an' my whiskey bill is too. An' I ain't got a dollar to my name. My woman she don't treat me the same (2) A new love's in her bed, and she wrote me and said "You ain't got a dollar to your name.” Now ain't that a cotton-pickin' shame? (2) My women «he i* gone, an' it'* time for moving on! An* I ain't got a dollar to my name. Oh, my last old dollar i« gone! (2) I'm feelin' kinda blue, an' I'd buy a drink or two But my last old dollar is gone! MB Song Texts 1323 ========================================================================================== No. 25 - Ain't Got No Use for Women (Vol. 3, source page 239) ========================================================================================== No. 25 AIN'T GOT NO USE FOR WOMEN also known as Bury Me Out on the Lone Prairie Bury Me Out On the Prairie Got No Use for the Women I Got No Use for the Women I've Got No Use for No UseWfmenthe Women An old cowboy song that can be seen in many folios published by commercial music firms. Authorship has been claimed by more than a dozen writer-singers, none of whom is old enough to have written it. REFERENCES Barnes (CHS), 125 Best, 17 Clark (CS), 42-43 Fife, 177-178 Hendrix, 29-33 Henry (FSSH), 360 Hull (CB), 50-51 Ives (SB), 280-282 Lingenfelter, 434-435 Lomax (CS-1938), 300 Nebraska (4), 10 & (6), 7 Silverman, I, 38 Wylder, 65-66 Ain't Got No Use For Women Ain't got no use for women, A true one can seldom be found; They stick by a man who has money, When it's gone, they'll turn him down. All girls are alike in the long run, And the nicest are meanest of all; They're always around while you're winning, But disappear fast when you fall. My pal was an honest cowpuncher— Yes, honest and upright and true; MB Song Texts 1324 But he turned into a hard-shootin* gunman, On account of a girl that he knew. He fell in with evil companion'!, The kind that ere better off dead; When a gambler insulted her picture, He filled his carcase with lead. All thro* the long night they trailed him. Thro’ mesquite and thick chaparral; I could not help but think of that woman As I saw him all shot as he fell. If she’d been the kind that she should have, He might have been raising a son Instead of out there on the prairie, To die by a tall lawman's gun. Death's sharp sting did not trouble— His chances for life were too slim. The place where they'd put his dead body Is all that mattered to him. He lifted his head from the ground there, The blood from his wounds flowing red; He gazed at the men grouped about him, And these are the words that he said: "Oh, bury me out on the prairie, Where the coyotes may howl o'er my grave; Bury me out on the prairie, But from them my bones plea=e save. Wrap me up in my blankets, And bury me deep in the ground; Cover me over with boulders, And make for me a small mound." We buried him out on the prairie. Where coyotes could howl o'er hi 3 grave; MB Song Texta 1325 And his soul is now at rest there, Prom the unkind cut that she gave. Now many another young puncher, As he rides by that pile of stones. Recalls some similar woman, And thinks of his mouldering bones. ************************* ========================================================================================== No. 26 - Ain’t Them Hard Trials? (Vol. 3, source page 241) ========================================================================================== No. 26 AIN’T THEM HARD TRIALS? also known as Hard Trials Wasn’t Them Hard Trial A spiritual thet dates back at least to the Civil War and may, in fact, be older. It is one of the slave spiritual* featured by the original Fisk Jubilee Singers, REFERENCES Dett, 222-223 Marsh (SJS), 207 Jubilee (PS), 39 Lomax (ABFS), 600 Kennedy (M-2), 65 Ain’t Them Hard Trials? The foxes have holes in the ground, The birds have nests in the air, The Christians have a hiding place, The poor lost sinners have none. Chorus Now ain’t them hard trials, tribulations? Ain’t them hard trials? I’m gwine to live with God. 01’ Satan came and tempted Eve, And he lied with every breath; KB Song Texts 1326 Made her believe that pin wap good, And would not lead to death’. 01* John he wap no Methodipt, And some pay he wap a Jew; But the Holy Bible tells us That John wap a preacher, too. Oh, I have lived a Christian life. And I neither steal nor lie; I've been a Christian all my life, And I'll be one when I die. *************************** ========================================================================================== No. 27 - Alabama Bound (Vol. 3, source page 242) ========================================================================================== No. 27 ALABAMA BOUND also known as Alabamy Bound I'm Alabama Bound I'm Alabamy Bound This song has the sound and feel of 19th century mins trel-stage material, but its date of origin is by no mean® certain. It should not be confused with the "pop” song hit, Alabamy Bound, by Buddy De Sylva, Bud Green and Ray Henderson, publi=hed in 1925 by Shapiro Bernstein & Co,, Inc. The two songs are distinctly different. Two vereions of the folk song are given below, with version A being the older. Version B i° the more popular, but only because of an enthused national interest in railroads. Though the origin of the song is uncertain, the dates of some versions can be established by the subject matter of added stanzas. For example, consider an added stanza that begins: Doctor Cook* s in town ... He found the North Pole too cold..• MB Song Texts 1327 These words are certainly no older than 1908, be cause that is the year Frederick Albert Cook claim ed to have reached the North Pole. He was later ac cused of fraud and stripped of his honors, and it is now generally agreed that Robert Peary deserves the credit previously bestowed upon Cook. Peary reached the North Pole in April, 1909. Another stanza that allows us to date the version in which it appears, begins: Where was you , sister . When the Titanic went down? Such words could not possibly have been sung prior to the night of April 14-15, 1912, because that is when the White Star liner Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic and sank. Of course, the change was a simple one to make, as we can see by the older stanza: Where was you . Sweet Mama , When the boat went down...? Also see and compare the 2nd stanza of If The Seaboard Train WreckB in Brown, III, 266. REFERENCES Berger, 42-43 Botkin (MRF), 598 Coleman, 62-63 Lomax (ABFS), 206-209 Lomax (PB), 142 Odum (NWS), 42, 98 Scarborough (NFS), 239 Seeger (6), 44 Silber (HSB), 72 Silverman, II, 20 Wheeler (SD), 54-55 White, 306-307 Alabama Bound ( Version A) Don't you leave me here! Don’t you leave me here! If you ain’t cornin’ back, sweet Papa, Leave me money for beer. MB Song Texts 1328 Chorus I'm Alabama bound! I'm Alabama bound! If the Stack don’t drown, I'm Alabama bound! Lawd, you know I care! (2) I got a long, tall, lean sweet Papa Up the river somewhere. Oh, late some dark night, (2) You'll knock upon my door, sweet Papa, Long before daylight, "Where was you, sweet Mama, when the boat went down?" "Up on the deck, babe, an' yellin' Alabama bound!" You can be like me, (2) Just have a woman in Alabam And one in Tennessee. Alabama Bound ( Version B) There's worry in my brain, (2) And the tears fall like rain. Oh babe! come ease my pain. Chorus I'm Alabamy bound! I'm Alabamy bound! If this train don't stop, I'm Alabamy bound! Why can't you live like me? (2) Why don't you drink some whiskey And let that cocaine be? Doc Cook's in town I'm told (2) They say he got too cold Around the ol' North Pole. MB Seng Texts 1329 I know your love ain't true, (2) That's* why I'm leavin' you, No matter what you do* 0 babe, you ain't my kind, (2) I'm leavin' you behind, To find some peace of mind. *********************** ========================================================================================== No. 28 - All About Mules (Vol. 3, source page 245) ========================================================================================== No* 28 ALL ABOUT MULES This humorous little song was given to me in 1941 by Shorty Long, Reading, Pa. For another version, see: Ford (TMA), 434. All About Mules Tune: Auld Lang Syne On mules we find two legs behind, And two we find before; We stand behind before we find What the two behind are for. So etand before the two behind, And behind the two before! ************************** ========================================================================================== No. 29 - All Are Talking of Utah (Vol. 3, source page 245) ========================================================================================== No. 29 ALL ARE TALKING OF UTAH "Stand-up" Mormon song, directed at those who were anti-Mormon and would interfere with the Mormon way of life. Text was first published in the Deseret News, Salt Lake City, Jan. 30, 1867* MB Song Texts 1330 REFERENCES Bee Hive, 18-19 barter (SC), 521 Cheney, 108-109 Hubbard (MSM), 127 Hubbard (SB), 77-78 Willea, 66-67 Hubbard, 450 All Are Talking of Utah Tune: Marchinsr Thro’ Geor gia Who r d ever think that Utah would stir the world so much Who'd ever think the Mormons were widely known as such? I hardly dare to scribble, or «uch a subject touch— For ell are talking of Utah. Chorus Hurrah! hurrah! the Mormons have the name; Hurrah! hurrah! they’re on the road to fame. Don’t matter what they style us— it'8 all about the same. For all are talking of Utah. They say they'll send an Army to set the Mormons right, Regenerate all Utah, and show us Christian light, Release our wives and daughters, and put us men to flight— For all are talking of Utah. I now will tell you something you never thought of yet: We bees are merely filling the hive of Deseret. If hurt, we'll sting together, and gather all we get. For all are talking of Utah, MB Song Texts 1331 ========================================================================================== No. 30 - All Around the Town (Vol. 3, source page 247) ========================================================================================== No. 30 ALL AROUND THE TOWN A traditional hoedown that is still popular with fiddlers and square dancers. Versions have appeared in countless folios published by commercial music firms. For another folk version, see: Ford (TMA), 434. There are no words to this piece, so reader is re ferred to TUNES, No. 30. *■»#***#***■)(•*****■«■**********#. ========================================================================================== No. 31 - All Bound Round with a Woolen String (Vol. 3, source page 247) ========================================================================================== No. 31 ALL BOUND ROUND WITH A WOOLEN STRING also known as There Was an Old Man Children's song with a familiar tune. This is one of a group of songs set to an air that is a variation of the Irish reel known as The Old Rose Tree. It is a tune that got around. The Old Rose Tree spawned variations in England: The Haymaker 1 s Dance and Old Mother Oxford. For additional information, see headnotes to NATCHEZ UNDER THE HILL and ZIP COON . For other versions of this children's song, see: Kennedy ( TAB), 290-291 and Linscott, 157-158. All Bound Round W1th A Woolen String There was an old man and he wasn't very rich, And when he died, he didn't leave much; Just a great big hat with a great big rim, All bound round with a woolen string. MB Song Texts 1332 A woolen string, a woolen string, All bound round with a woolen string; A great big hat with a great big rim, All bound round with a woolen string, ************************** ========================================================================================== No. 32 - All Day Long on the Prairie (Vol. 3, source page 248) ========================================================================================== No, 32 ALL DAY LONG ON THE PRAIRIE Occupational song. Cattle raising and "herding cows" are forms of work done by many people in many lands. Only in America, however, was the trade idealized and the result is that all-American creation: The Cowboy, This is one of the romanticized songs about cowboys, REFERENCES Allen (CL-1933), 69 Clark (CS), 17 Felton, 88-92 Ives (SA), 158-159 Larkin, 130, 134 Lingenfelter, 342-343 Lomax (CS-1919), 96 Lomax (CS-1938), 67 Ohrlin, 156-157 Patterson (SRR), 12 Siringo (SC), 14-15 Stanley, 32 Thorp (1921), 4-6 Westermeier, 263-264 All Day Long On The Prairie All day long on the prairies I ride, Not even a hound dog to trot by my side; My fire it is kindled with chips gathered ’round, I boil my own coffee without being ground, I wash in a pool, I wipe on a sack, And carry my wardrobe all on my back. For lack of an oven, I cook in a pot, For lack of a bed I sleep on a cot. MB Song Texts 1333 My ceiling is the sky, ay floor i 3 the grass, My music is the lowing of herds as they pass; My hooks are the brooks, my sermons the stones. My parson’s the wolf on his big pile of bones. My hooks teach me ever consistence to prize; My sermons, that small things I should not despise; My parson remarks from his pulpit of bones. That heaven helps them that looks after their own. Between me and my love lies a gulf very wide— Some luckier fellow may make her his bride. friends gently hint X am coming to grief. But men must make money and women have beef. Abraham emigrated in search of a range, When water was scarce he wanted a change; Old Isaac owned cattle in charge of Esau, And Jacob punched cows for his father-in-law. ========================================================================================== No. 33 - Ail Down to Sleep (Vol. 3, source page 249) ========================================================================================== Ho. 33 AIL DOWN TO SLEEP also known as Pour Old Maids Sat Down to Sleep Here's a Young Lady Here Stands a Young Man Here Stands a Young Man Who Wants a Sweetheart Here We Go Round the Straw berry Bush American versions of this game Melven Vine Poor Widow The Sleeping Beauty Sleepy Man The Strawberry Bush There Was a Young Lady Who Sat Down to Sleep Young Lady Sit Down to Sleep song derived from Eng- in lish versions, and many of them have been publish* all areas of the English-speaking world. It is a MB Song Texts 1334 circle or game and is related to a large number of marriage games, such as Getting Married, Hog, Drover s, The Juniner Tree , and Knights A-Riding. ?or songs of similar type, see: Daughter , Oh Daughter , Silljr Old Man and There Sits An Old Woman in Gardner (SPPG), 117-119; Here Sits a Young Man in Piper (SPPG), XXVIII; and Here Sits A Young Lady in Isham, XXXIV, 269. Also see and compare McIntosh, 50-51. REFERENCES Babcock, I, 252 Botkin (APPS), 140-141 Brown, I, 127 Dudley & Payne, I, 27 Gardner (FSH), 239-240 Hamilton, XXVII, 292 Heck, XL, 39 Jour (AFL), XXIV, 117; XXVIII, 269; XXXII, 126; XLIX, 255-256 Newell, 224-225 Northall, 370 Scarborough (NFS), 138 Wolford, 66 -67 All Down To Sleep Tune Mulberry Bush There sits a young lady all down to sleep. All down to sleep, all down to sleep; There sits a young lady all down to sleep. So early in the morning. She wants a young man to wake her up, To wake her up, to wake her up; She wants a young man to wake her up, So early in the morning. So write his name down and send it to me. And send it to me, and send it to me, etc. Now Mister Jones his name shall be, His name shall be, his name shall be, otc. The way is now open and he’ll step in, And he’ll step in, and he’ll step in, etc. Song Texts 1335 MS Arise, arise, upon your feet, Upon your feet, upon your feet, etc. ***»*************-»*-»*-»*-»-»** ========================================================================================== No. 34 - All My Sins Been Taken Away I (Vol. 3, source page 251) ========================================================================================== No. 34 ALL MY SINS BEEN TAKEN AWAY I also known as All My Sins Are Taken Away I’m Going Home On The Morn ing Train Mary Wore Three Links of Chain My Sins Are All Taken Away My Sins Been Taken Away Sis' Mary Wore Three Link3 of Chain This old revival hymn-spiritual has been adapted, parodied, and rewritten many times. One parody (see version B be low) was an extremely popular and commercially successful during the 1920s and early 1930s. For interesting variations, see John Jacob Niles’ Seven Negro Exultations (No. 4, 2nd stanza) and Sins Are All Taken Away in Chappell (PSRA), 151 and Work (ANSS), 158. REFERENCES Arnold, 103 Best-, 47 Brown, III, 600; V, 340 Coleman, 76-77 Courlander (NSA), 48 Hudson (SMEL), No. 99 Lomax (USA), 376 Luther, 51-52 Morris, 168-169 Odum (NHS), 60-63 Sandburg (AS), 60 Sandburg (NAS), 78 White, 60-63, 132 All My Sins Been Taken Away I_ Version A Sister Mary wore three links of chain, Sister Mary wore three links of chain. MB Song Text 3 1336 Sister Mary wore three links of chain, And ev'ry link was Jesus’ name. All my sins been taken away, taken away! I’m going home on the morning train, ( 3 ) If you don't see me you’ll hear me sing. All my sins, etc . Paul and Silas bound in jail, ( 3 ) One for to weep, one for to wail. All my sins, etc. My good lord done just what He said, ( 3 ) Healed the sick and raised the dead, All my sins, etc. Some o' these days and it won’t be long, ( 3 ) I'm going home to sing my song. All my sins, etc. VERSION B This is the parody of Version A (above) that became so popular. Other versions are in Brown, III, 430-431 and Davis (FSV), 153. Hand me down my walking cane, Hand me down my walking cane, Hand me down my walking cane, I’m going away on the morning train. All my sins been taken away, taken away. Got real drunk, got throwed in jail, ( 3 ) And I had nobody to go my bail. All my sins, etc. MB Song Texts 1337 If I’d a-listened to what mama said, (3) I'd he sleeping in a feather bed. All my sins, etc. Bread was stale, the meat was fat, (3) Oh, ny Lord! I couldn’t eat that! All my sins, etc. Come on, Mama, and go my bail, (3) And get me out of this stinking jail! All my sins, etc . Hand me down my bottle of corn, (3) Gonna get drunk and blow my horn! All my sins, etc. I got a wife and a bulldog too, (3) Vlfe don’t love me but my bulldog do! All my sins, etc. If I should die in Tennessee, (3) Just ship my body C. 0. I). ! All my sins, etc. ******************************** ========================================================================================== No. 35 - All My Sins Been Taken Away II (Vol. 3, source page 253) ========================================================================================== No. 35 ALL MY SINS BEEN TAKEN AWAY II also known as Down in the Valley to I’m Going Home on the Morn- Pray ing Train This is a composite spiritual with a refrain common to several other spirituals and secular songs. For examples, see: Chappell (FSRA), 151; Liton, 12; John son (RAS), 60; Jour (AFL), XXXV, 233; Morris, 168; White, 62; and Work (ANSS), 158. Also compare: The Good Old Way II in this Master Book. REFERENCES MB Song Texts 1338 Brown, III, 608-609 Courlander (NSA), 48 Henry (FSSH), 420-421 Hudson (SMPI), No. 99 All My Sins Been Taken Away II There is a song I love to sing, There is a song I love to sing, There is a song I love to sing, Glory hallelujah! Oraise His name! All ay sins been taken away, taken away. Chorus All my sins been taken away, (3) Glory hallelujah! Praise His name! All my sins been taken away, taken away. I'm going home on the morning train, (3) My soul's so happy I.forgot my name. All my sin3, etc. I went down in the valley to pray, (3) My soul got happy and I stayed all day. All my sins, etc. My Jesus preached when twelve years old, (3) There's more to living that silver and gold. All my sins, etc. I wanna be there on Judgment morn, (3) When angel Gabriel blows on his horn. All my sins, etc, I know the day, remember the time, (3) When Jesus changed this heart of mine. All my sins, etc. ****** *****■***■*-*■****■***** BUS song xex^s ========================================================================================== No. 36 - All My Trials, Lord, Soon Be Over (Vol. 3, source page 255) ========================================================================================== No. 36 ALL MY TRIALS, LORD, SOON BE OVER An old, melodic spiritual with a composite text. For songs with obvious similarities, see: Allen (SSTJS), 3; Arnold, 173; Brown, III, 629; Fisher (NSS), 116; Fisher (SNS), 8-11; and Jackson (ASWS), 78. Also compare, Tell All the World . John in Work (ANSS), 173 and Tree in Paradise in Brown, III, 676 & V, 399. REFERENCES• Silber (HSB), 32 Silverman, II, 123 Leisy, 9 Okun, 163 All My Trials , Lord, Soon Be Over Sweet little baby, please don’t cry; Most everybody is bound to die. All my trials, Lord, soon be over. If life was somethin' money could buy, The rich would live and the poor would die. All my trials, Lord, soon be over. There is a tree in Paradise, And Christians call it the Tree of Life. All my trials, Lord, soon be over. I'll never let ol* Satan win, I know my Jesus will take me in. All my trials, Lord, soon be over. Too late, my brothers, no more time! It's far too late, so never mind— All my trials, Lord, soon be over. *****■*■***•**■*■■*■***■»■*** MB Song Texts 1340 ========================================================================================== No. 37 - All Noddin’ (Vol. 3, source page 256) ========================================================================================== No. 37 ALL NODDIN’ also known as Nid, Nid, Noddin' Nodding We're All Nodding The text of this Scottish song has often been altered and rewritten. Three of its famous lyricists are Allan Cunningham, Lady Nairne and Robert Burns. The melody has come down to us almost in its original form. American versions of this song vary considerably in some instances, and many of these are attributed to authors and composers who could not possibly have written them. During the first half of the 19th century the song was so popular in America that it inspired adaptations and parodies in large number. For a parody that was sung by California gold-miners, see All Farmin' in this Master Book. The title of this song is probably misleading today. One might reasonably suppose that the words "all noddin' mean "growing drowsy," but that is not the case. In Scotland the word "noddin'" means "joyous," and the sentiment is most lively. REFERENCES Johnson (FS), 393-394 Knight, 226-227 Macfarren, 26-27 Randolph, IY, 414 Richardson (AMS), 60 All Noddin' Howdy do, Old Miss Gossip, I see you're all alone, So come and see how well we are, Now that my son is home. And, oh, but he's been gone so long! And, oh, he looks so fair! KB Song Texts 1341 And he's a man full grown and strong, With, not a single care. Oh, we*re all noddin', nid, nid, noddin', We are all noddin' at our house at home. When he knocked upon the door, I opened it a crack, An* then I cried for all to hear: Praise God! my son is tack! And then I held him close and cried, For, oh! I felt so glad! And his father fairly beamed with pride Upon his handsome lad. Oh, we're all noddin', nid, nid, noddin'. We are all noddin' at our house at heme. ************************* ========================================================================================== No. 38 - All Oh a Saturday Hight (Vol. 3, source page 257) ========================================================================================== Ho. 38 ALL OH A SATURDAY HIGHT also known as Foot Prints Here We Come, Looby Loo Kinkumbooby The Hokey Pokey I Put My Little Foot In I Put My Little Hand In I Put My Right Foot In Looby Loo Loop De Loo Loupy Lou Lubin Old Mother Ketura Put Your Little Foot In Put Your Little Foot Right Here Right Elbow In Ugly Mug Yarsovienne An English-Scottish game song that probably evolved from an ancient rite. Origin and meaning are still MB Song Text 3 1342 matters for speculation, but the song's popularity is not questioned by anyone. The tune was once known in America as The Varsovienne— r a dance in which the participants sang words as they danced. The Varsovienne was a traditional dance that remained rather popular until the first part of the 20th century. According to Anne Schley ( Folk Dances of the United States and Mexico), the Varsovienne "be came a popular American round dance based upon the characteristic pattern and steps from which it evolved, developing its own established (pattern) by varying versions in different sections of the country." Nowadays, however, the tune is mostly encountered as a game song for children, although—on occasion—it has been adapted by professional entertainers and used as a popular song. There is a Spanish version, Jan Petit , as well as many similar songs in France, Ireland, and England. REFERJENCES Ames (MPP), 312-313 Bancroft, 362-364 Bertail, 14 Billson, 64 Botkin (APPS), 29, .36 Brown, I, 156-157; V, 326 Porbush, 66-68 Pord (TMA), 150-151 Gardner, 12-13 Gardner (SPPG), 110-111 Gomme, I, 352-361 Graves (LFUR), 26 Halliwell (PRUT), 226 Heck, 25-26 Hornby, 65 Jour (AFL), XXVIII, 273 * Folk-Lore Journal, V, 49 538 Bulletin (PSSN), IV, 17 Bulletin (TPS), VI, 6 Chambers (PRS), 137-139 Collins, 12 Courlander (NSA), 96 Cox (SG), 243-244 Duncan (PPHC), 6-7 Flanders (VFSB), 192-193 XXXII, 496; XXXIII, 110; XL, 18; XLIX, 254; LX, 43 MB Song Texts 1343 Lair, 22 Leisy (SPS), 160 Linscott, 23-26 Newell, 131 Northall, 361 Ohrlin, 110-112 Pound, 225-226 Randolph, III, 365 Thomas (SG), 63 Van Doren, 496 Winn (1), 168-169 All On A Saturday Night I put my little hand in, I put my little hand out, I give my little hand a shake, shake, shake, And I turn myself about. Chorus Oh, here we go, two by two; Here we go, do it right. Here we go, me and you, All on a Saturday night, ah-hah! All on a Saturday night. I put my little foot in, I put my little foot out, I give my little hand a shake, etc. I put both of my hands in, I put both of my hands out, I give my little hand a shake, etc . I put my other foot in, I move my other foot out, I give my little hand a shake, etc. MB Song Texts 1344 Pinal Chorus Oh, here we go, looby loo, Here we go looby light; Here we go, looby loo, All on a Saturday night, ah-hah! All on a -Saturday night. ========================================================================================== No. 39 - All Over God’s Heaven (Vol. 3, source page 260) ========================================================================================== No. 39 ALL OVER GOD’S HEAVEN also known as All God’s Children All God's Children Got Shoes All God’s Chillun All God’s Chillun Got Wings Going to Shine All ’Round God’s Heaven Going (Gwine) to Shout All Over God’s Heaven Heaven I Got a Robe, You Got a Robe I Got Shoes Shout All Over God’s Heaven You Got a Robe, I Got a Robe This old spiritual is still popular. A version was featured in the 1927 production of the Ziegfeld Pollies. As a result, there was a new surge of interest in the song. For a variation, see: Goin’ To Shine All ’Round God’s Heaven in Odum (NHS), 98. REFERENCES Best, 149 Brown, III, 607; V, 345 Chambers (TNS), 47-48 Courlander (NSA), 56 Dett, 126-127 Pisher (SNS), 41-45 Hallowell, 58 Hayes, 70-73 Johnson (BANS), 71-73 Kennedy (M-l), 155-157 Leisy, 6 Leisy (SPS), 202 Mackenzie (SH), 110 Odum (DLR), 18, 79 Odum (NHS), 97 MB Song Texts 1345 White, 69-70 Whitman, 108-109 Work (AHSS), 180 Work (PSAU), 48 All Over God'a Heaven I got shoes, you got shoes, All God's children got shoes. When I get to heaven gonna put on my shoes, I*m gonna walk all over God's heaven, heaven, heaven. Everybody talkin' 'bout heaven! I*m a-goin' there! Heaven, heaven, I'm gonna walk all over God's heaven! I got a robe, you got a robe. All God's children got a robe. When I get to heaven gonna put on my robe, I*m gonna shout all over God's heaven, etc . I got wings, you got wings, All God’s children got wings. When I get to heaven gonna put on my wings. I'm gonna fly all over God's heaven, etc. I got a song, you got a song, All God's children got a song. When I get to heaven gonna call on my song, I'm gonna sing all over God's heaven, etc. ************************** ========================================================================================== No. 40 - Ah Pahhin' (Vol. 3, source page 261) ========================================================================================== Ho. 40 AH PAHHIN' also known as We Are All A-Panning This is a parody of the Scots song All Noddin' (see MB Song Texts 1346 in MB). It was created in the California gold fields or at San Francisco, where it was performed by miners and by professional singers in Music Halls. For other versions, see: Dwyer, 62 and Silber (SGAW), 132. All Fannin* Tune: All Hoddin* The merchant shows his articles And urges you to buy; And he says they cost him dearly— But it's "all in your eye!" This is his way of panning, pan, pan, panning; This is his way of panning Just to get a little gold. The preacher keeps on preaching, Going anywhere it pays; He bestows the greatest blessings Where makes the largest raise. It*8 a holy way of panning, pan, pan, panning; It's a holy way of panning, Just to get a little gold. But the miner in his diggings, He's panning all the while; And he’s always most contented While he's adding to his pile. It's an honest way of panning, pan, pan, panning; It's an honest way of panning, Just to get a little gold. *********************** MB Song Texts 1347 ========================================================================================== No. 41 - All Skin and Bone (Vol. 3, source page 263) ========================================================================================== No. 41 ALL SKIN AND BONE . also known as Mrs. Jones The Skin and Eones Lady Old Skin and Bones The Skin and Bone Woman Old Woman All Skin and Bone There Was an Old Woman The Skin-and-Bone Lady There Was an Old Woman Skin and Bones All Skin and Bones An old English "shudder-story" nursery song. The song was wide-spread in the United States and versions of it have been collected in all areas of the country. REFERENCES Belden (BS), 502-503 Halliwell (NR), 64, 180 Bertail, 142 Hudson (FTM), 43-44 Botkin (NEF), 896 Langstaff (1), 80-81 Brewster (BSI), 268 Linscott, 44-46 Brown, III, 189; V, Lomax (SBS), 29 111 Moore (BFSS), 255 Chase (AFTS), 186 Perrow, XXVI, 142; XXVIII, Christie, I, 240 n 158 Cox (FSS), 482-483 Randolph, I, 301-302 Davis (FSV), 198-200 Rimbault (NR), 32 Downes, 201, 235 Ritchie (FS), 26 Eddy, 206-207 . Ritchie (SFC), 12 Flanders (VFSB), 180-181 Ritchie (SSB), 76-77 Gammer Gurton, 29 Winn (2), 171 All Skin and Bone There was an old woman who lived all alone; She was so poor, she was all skin and bone. Yes, yes, yes. M3 Song Texts 1348 She made her way to church one day, To hear the parson preach and pray. Yes, yes, yes. When she came to the old church stile, She sat down to rest awhile. Yes, yes, yes. When she walked thro' the old church door. She spied a ghost upon the floor. Yes, yes, yes. She started back and turned around, And saw his corpse there on the ground. Yes, yes, yes. And from his toes up to his chin. The worms crawled out, the worms crawled in. Yes, yes, yes. She turned to the preacher and she said: "Will I look that way when I'm dead?" Yes, yes, yes. **************-***** **** ========================================================================================== No. 42 - All the Go (Vol. 3, source page 264) ========================================================================================== Ho. 42 ALL THE GO also known as My Man's Up The Rivuh Since this is a "river" song, I had supposed that the term "go below" meant "below deck." I was wrong. According to Wheeler (SD), 117, who recovered the song, it means "go down into the cotton country"—Memphis, Vicksburg, New Orleans. MB Song Texts 1349 All the Go My man’s up the river. Where I told him not to go; Get aboard the James Lee , Set to go below. Chorus All the go, all the go! Me and my river man's all the go. The sky's dark and cloudy, I can hear the whistle blow; Yonder comes the James Lee Sailing down below. Now if you don't love me, You can come and tell me so; Get aboard the James Lee And sail on below. *************************** ========================================================================================== No. 43 - All the Good Times (Vol. 3, source page 265) ========================================================================================== No. 43 ALL THE GOOD TIMES also known as All the Good T^mes Are Past and Gone Good Times Are Past and Gone This song, obviously the work of a professional writer, probably dates, as Randolph suggested, from the 1890s. A definite folk influence is found in the final four lines, which are also found in several other songs. I have seen only two versions of this song in publish ed folk collections: Leisy, 10 and Randolph, IV, 305. MB Song Texts 1350 All the Good Times No more good times are on the way, It*s not like it was before; No more good times since yesterday— You don’t love me no more. I'd rather be in some deep, dark place, Way down where the sun don’t shine, Than to ever see your loving face Aglow for any heart but mine. All the good times are past and gone, I’m walking this lonesome floor; All the good times are past and gone, And I can't cry no more. I wish to God I'd never been born, Or had died when I was young, And had never seen your sparkling eyes, Or heard lies from your honey tongue. ***** ***************** * ========================================================================================== No. 44 - All the World to Me (Vol. 3, source page 266) ========================================================================================== No. 44 ALL THE WORLD TO ME also known as The Sad Song Song of "one-sided" love that may have first been a poem. Female country singers used to perform this song on the radio quite a lot, but I've seen it in only one folk collection: Randolph, IV, 153-154. All tbe World to Me He came from his palace grand, And he came to my cottage door; Hi3 words were few, but his looks Will linger forever-more. MB Song Texts 1351 The smile in his sad dark eyes More tender than words could be, But I was nothing to him, Tho' he’s all the world to me. Oh, there in his garden strolled— All robed in satins and lace— A woman so strange and cold Who held in his heart no place. Oh, I would be his bride With a kiss for a lifetime fee, But I am nothing to him, Tho’ he's all the world to me. Today in his palace grand On a flower-strewn bier he lies, With those beautiful lids fast closed O'er his beautiful dark eyes. Among the mourners who mourn Why should I a mourner be? For I was nothing to him, Tho' he's all the world to me. How will it be with our souls When we meet in that other land? What the mortal heart don't know, Will the spirit there understand? Or in some celestial form Will our sorrows repeated be? Will I still be nothing to him, Tho' he's all the world to me? ***************** M3 Song Texts 1352 ========================================================================================== No. 45 - Aloha Oe (Vol. 3, source page 268) ========================================================================================== go. 45 ALOHA OE also known as Farewell to Thee Hawaiian Farewell Song It is claimed that this song was created in 1878 by Queen Liliuokaiani. There is a copy in her handwriting in the George H. Carter Memorial Collection at the Bishop Museum, which lends support to the claim. Time and usuage ha ve wrought changes, however, and the song, as known today, is considerably improved. Published and copyrighted in 1884 by Matthias Gray, Aloha Oe is Hawaii’s most famous song. The melody is quite similar to to that of The Hock Beside the Sea , a song by Charles C. Converse, pub lished at Philadelphia in 1857. According to Sigmund Spaeth, the refrain air is from an even older song, There ♦s Music in the Air , by George F. Hoot, 1854. BEFERENCES Luther, 285 Oberndorfer, 139 Wier (LS), 131 Aloha Oe Yonder goes the rain cloud o’er the pali, Across the tree-tops it does sail, Still following with grief the Liko, The A-hi-hi-le-hu-a of the vale. Aloha Oe, Aloha Oe, Thou charming one who dwells among the bowers; One fond embrace before I now depart. Until we meet again. ***********-*-*••* ***•*-*• ■*•-*■ * MB Song Texts 1353 ========================================================================================== No. 46 - Along the Kansas Line (Vol. 3, source page 269) ========================================================================================== No. 46 ALONG THE KANSAS LINE also known as The Kansas Line A Soldier from Missouri This was a popular song during the Civil War years and for sometime after. The tune sounds very, very Irish. REFERENCES Randolph, II, 256-260 Moore (BFSS), 278-280 Along the Kansas Line A soldier of the Union, In manhood’s early prime, Lay with the dead and dying, In the mud and in the slime; And on that field of battle, His life was ebbing fast, While comrades, faint and weary, Were moving quickly past. A comrade stopped beside him, And lifted up his head, And to his tearful comrade This is what the soldier said: ’’For me the war is over, The fighting’s at an end— But what will be the difference, Unless we die to win? "Our lend i= filled with mourning, All wrapped in death and woe; The wailing notes of sorrow Come both from high and low. I fought for truth and freedom, With gun and sword combined, But I have seen no freedom Along the Kansas Line.” ********************** MB Song Texts 1354 ========================================================================================== No. 47 - Alouette! (Vol. 3, source page 270) ========================================================================================== No. 47 ALOUETTE! also known as Ah! the Lark! The Lark This song came to North America with the earliest French explorers and settlers; it survived in French settlements in both Canada and the U. S. In time, the song wa« forgotten in France, the land of its origin. It wa« re-introduced to its homeland by French Canadians during World War I. <;ong can be brief or of long duration, depending upon one’s inclination. The verges and chorus may continue until one runs out of anatomical parts of the lark to pluck. The chorus is always repeated. REFERENCES Barbeau (JSOQ), 189 Leisy (LAS), 81 Berry, 68-69 Leisy (SPS), 161 Best, 86 Oberndorfer, 54 Elson, 159-161 Silverman, I , 271 Alouette! Alouette, gentille Alouette, Alouette, je t’y pleau-me-rai. Alouette, gentille Alouette, Alouette, je t’y pleau-me-rai. I begin to pluck the head, I begin to pluck the head,* ♦The singer can continue on with "I begin to pluck the eyes," then "the beak, the neck, the wings, the back, the tail, the claws, etc.," until the subject has been exhausted. In English, the words could be: MB Song Texts 1355 Pretty skylark. Winging, Pinging skylark. Pretty skylark, I shell pluck you now. Pretty skylark, Winging, singing skylark, Pretty skylark, I shall pluck you now, *#*•***#*•*•**#•******#*•#•****•** ========================================================================================== No. 48 - The Alphabet (Vol. 3, source page 271) ========================================================================================== No, 48 THE ALPHABET also known as ABC ABC, Can*t See Me ABC, Doubled Down D ABC, Tumbledown D The alliance between education and entertainmen is on the ancient side, and the learning of specific subject* by combining them with specially construct ed mu*ical airs i* still an educational tool of im mense •value. In early American "grade school*" the wedding of basic information and music as a means of teaching and learning was popular and widely practiced. Following the Civil War the teaching of subjects in musical form began to decline in schools, particularly in the northern states. In the South, however, students continued to learn the alphabet, the multiplication tables, the names of 3 tate* and their capitol cities, etc., with the aid of music. For examples, see: States and Capitols in Brewster (KI3), 169; Randolph, IV, 409 & (OMF), 55. Adults also revealed a fondness for alphabetical- type songs. They made and sang religious, occupat- MB 1356 Song Texts lonal and political songs set in the alphabetical form. Such pieces set the foundation for the later "spelling" songs, such as S-A-V-E-D (see in MB) and the 1940s song by Merle Travis, KENTUCKY « Por yet another example of a spelling song, see: Quarterly (SPL), IV, 150. The three following selections are fairly repre sentative of the genre. Version A was used to teach the alphabet to children. REFERENCES Bertail, 138 Talley, 154 Randolph, IV, 401 Wier (YAM), I, 112 ABC ( Version A) ABCDEFGHIJKLM NOPQRSTUVWXYZ ABC . DOUBLED DOWN D ( Version B) ABC, doubled down D; I*se so lazy you caint see me. ABC, doubled down D; Lazy chilluns gets hick'ry tea. ABC, doubled down D; You'd better come out an* wuk lak me. ABC, TUMBLE DOWN D ( Version C) ABC, Tumble-down D, The Cat's in the cupboard And can't «ee me. ABC, Tumble-down D, A bird's in the willow And oinging free. ***************** MB Song Texts 1357 ========================================================================================== No. 49 - The. Alphabet: a for an Apple (Vol. 3, source page 273) ========================================================================================== No. 49 THE. ALPHABET: A FOR AN APPLE also known as The Musical Alphabet This is one of the more elaborate musical settings for the alphabet, and it was arranged expressly for the instruction and amusement of children by Mrs. T. Walsh. Piece was published in the 1840s * Similar songs and versions are preserved under such titles as: A Is For Apple , The Average Boy , and The Rhyming Alphabet. Examples of such pieces are given in Arnold, 141; Bertail, 41, 134; Brown, III, 259; Jordan, 269; Jour (AFL), No. 55, 1942, 413-414; Randolph, Iv, 403-406; Reeves, 63; Wier (YAM), III, 10-11. The Alphabet: A for an Aople A for an apple, an archer, an arrow; B for a bull, a bear and a barrow; C for a cet, and D for a dish, E for an egg, and F for a fish, G for a goo«=e, and H for a ham; I for an Inn and J for jam, K for a king, and L for a light, M for a mouse and N for night; 0 for an olive and P for prattle, Q for a queen and R for a rattle; S for a star and T for a tale, U for an urn and V for a veil; W for watch, for wreath, and for wren, X stands for no word in English but ten; Y for a youth, for yoke and for yeast; Z for a Zebra, a beautiful beast. Now I have sung the Alphabet through, And all I ask is a kiss from you. MB Song Text3 1358 ========================================================================================== No. 50 - Alphabet for Americans (Vol. 3, source page 274) ========================================================================================== No. 50 ALPHABET FOR AMERICANS also known as The Revolutionary Alphabet According to Burl Ives, this song was published as a braodisde sheet in 1775 and parents were urged to teach their children the alphabet in this form. The tune is an adaptation of the English song, Smiling Polly —a version of which is in Chappell (OEPM), II, 185. REFERENCES Brand (S»76), 36-37 Ives (SB), 91 Alphabet for Americans A is for Americans who have scorned to be slaves, B's for Boston's bravery that ever freedom saves; C is for the Congress which though loyal shall be free. D stands for defense against brute force and tyranny E stands for the evils which a rebellion must bring, F is for a dreadful fate for people and for King; G's for George, may heaven give him wisdom, health and grace; H stands for the hypocrites who wear the double face J is for justice which the traitors in pow'r defy, K*s the King again, who ought to such the axe apply; L's for London where he sits, to honor ever true, M's for Mansfield, who, it seems, doth hold another view. N*« for North who to the House the evil mandate brings, 0 is oaths, which seemingly bind subjects not their kings; MB Song Texts 1359 P is for the people who their freedom would defend, Q is for question? When will England’s troubles end? R is for the Rebels, not in Boston but at home; S is for the Stuarts, sent by Whigs abroad to roam. T is for Tories who may try to bring them back, Y is for villians who have well deserved the rack. W stands for Wilkes, who us from warrants saved; Y is for York the New, half-corrupted, half-enslaved. Z represents Zero, which refers to Tory minions Who threaten us with fire and sword, to bias our opinions Tag We stand firmly A to Z, and swear forever to be free! *•**************■»**•»*■»*•»* ========================================================================================== No. 51 - Alphabet for Lumbermen (Vol. 3, source page 275) ========================================================================================== No. 51 ALPHABET FOR LUMBERMEN also known as The Lumberman’s Alphabet The Shanty-man’s Alphabet The Shanty Boys' Song The Woodsman's Alphabet This song, which probably originated in the forest, appears to have been fashioned upon Alphabet for Sail ors (see in MB), but it is a supposition which I am unable to prove. Text has been set to various airs, including a form of Derry Down . Por a similar song of later date, see Doerflinger, 209. REFERENCES Barry (MWS), 50-51 Beck (LLC), 37-40 Beck (SML), 23-25 Botkin (NEF), 874-875 Cazden, I, 12-13 Creighton (SBNS), 212-213 Doerflinger, 207-208 Eckstorm, 30-32 Emrich (CBF), 19 Flanders (NGMS), 169-171 MB Song Texts 1360 Gardner (BSSM), 255-257 Gray, 10-14 Linscott, 235-237 Scott (BA), 173-175 Thompson (BBB), 262 Tolman & Eddy, 413 Rickaby, 35-38 Alphabet for Lumbermen A is for axe, and to timber we go; B is for boys, who put on the show. C is for chopping and cutting a tree, And D is for danger that always will be. E is for echo that rings on the air, P is for foreman, as tough as a bear; G is for grindstone, so even and round, And H is for hard-work, wherever it's found. I is for iron, with which we mark pine, J is for jerky, we eat all the time; K is the keen-edge our axes must keep, And L is the lice that bite when we sleep. M is for mem'ries of love and romance, N is for needles to sew up our pants; 0 for the owls that hoot thro* the night, And P for the pine that brings us delight. Q is for quarrels, in which we abound, R for the rivers we drive the logs down; S for the sleds that we built stout and strong, And T is for teamsters, who curse hard and long. U for the use which we put ourselves to, 7 for the valley that’s seldeom in view; W the woods, which we leave in the spring. And X marks the spot where I cease to sing. *** ************-**-** * MB Song Texts 1361 ========================================================================================== No. 52 - Alphabet for Mormons (Vol. 3, source page 277) ========================================================================================== No. 52 ALPHABET FOR MORMONS also known as The Moab Alphabet This song is not widely known, even among Mormons, and is included here as an example of the genre. Both text and tune are from Hubbard, 459-460. Alphabet for Mormons Oh listen unto me, since together we have met, And I»ll in : A stands for B stands for C stands for D stands for E stands for 6- stands for H stands for I stands for J stands for K stands for L stands for M stands for N stands for 0 stands for P stands for R stands for S stands for T stands for W stands for Z stands for ****** ********-********* MB Song Texts 1362 ========================================================================================== No. 53 - Alphabet for Sailors (Vol. 3, source page 278) ========================================================================================== Ho, 53 ALPHABET FOR SAILORS also known as Alphabet of the Ship The Sailor’s Alphabet Alphabet Song The Seaman's Alphabet This is probably the older of the occupational-type alphabet songs. Merchant and military seamen were familiar with this song, and they sang it ashore as well as aboard ship. Sometimes the song comes with a chorus, sometimes without, and sometimes, as in Jour (AFL), XXXVIII, 298, it shows up as a seaman's toast. Por a different sailor's alphabet song, see The Bosun's Alphabet in Hugill (1), 456 or (2), 171. REFERENCES Brown, III, 259-260; V, 143-144 Creighton (SBNS), 210-212 Eckstorm, 233-234 Emrich (PAL), 471-472 Jour (APL), XXXVIII, 298 Morris, 57-58 Thompson (BBB), 194 Alphabet for Sailors A is the anchor that lays at our bow, And B is the bowsprit an' jibs all lie low; C is the capstan that always goes round, And D is the derrick that hoists in the rum. Chorus So merry, so merry, so merry are we! No mortals on earth are like sailors at sea! To me e-dory, i-dory, o-dory dong. Give sailors some grog and there's nothing wrong! E is the ensign that on our fore flew, And P is the forecastle, home of the crew; MS Song Texts 1363 6 Is the galley where the coffee smells strong, And H is the halyards we hoist with a song. I is the Eyebolt—no good for the feet— And J is the jib, boys, stand by the lee sheet; K is for the Knightheads where the shantyman stands, And L is for the Leeside, hard found by new hands. U is the mainmast wrought stout and strong, N is for needlepoint that never goes wrong; 0 is for the oars of our jolly life-boat, And P is the pennant that so neatly does float. Q is for the Quadrant—to wheel it lies near; R is for the rudder which helps us to steer. S is for Sheerpole over which we must climb. And T is for Topmen, ’way aloft every time. U is for uniform, to wear fore and aft, And V is Yange running down from the gaff; W is for water that always around, And X marks the spot where shipmates were drowned. T is for yardarm—takes a good sailcrman; And Z is for nothing, so I understand. So this is the end of my alphabet song,— Heave away, boys, Oh, heave long and strong! Ik***************************** ========================================================================================== No. 54 - Alphabet for Soldiers (Vol. 3, source page 279) ========================================================================================== No. 54 ALPHABET FOR SOLDIERS also known as The Alphabet The Soldier's Alphabet This form of the alphabet song dates back to the Ameri can Civil War and, perhaps, it may be much older. The only version I have seen in print is the one in Moore MB Song Texts 1364 (BBSS), 370-372. Alphabet for Soldiers A is our army so true and so brave, B is our banner, so long may she wave; C is Chattanooga, where forces were put, And D is the day that the railroad was cut. Chorus Tic-a-tacky, tic-a-tacky, a tic-a-ty tack, I'd buy me a shirt, if I had a greenback; I'd buy me a soldier to fight in my place, Depart from this army and ne'er show my face. E is engagement where everything stood, P is the flogging that Thomas gave Hood; & is the guards that are stationed in town, And H is the hospital where I lay me down. I is inspection, our order so strict; J is Jay Hawkins, our order permit. K is to kill outside of our line. And L is lieutenant that hid in the Rhine. M is to muster all the day, N is no answer or talking for pay; 0 is on-duty, go muster in now, And P is the private that kicked up a row. Q is the Quartermaster who rides all about, R is the rations which always run out; S is the Sutler that nails all our dimes. And T is for trash for most of these rhymes. U is for Uncle Sam's ugly conscript, V is the veteran full of all tricks; W is widow that's north in the rear, And X is extra champagne and beer. MB Song Texts 1365 Now two more letters are coming along, Which means I have come to the end of my song; Y is the young and beautiful lass, And Z is the Zura that hid in the grass. * **************•*■*•*•*•*■*•***•*■»••* ========================================================================================== No. 55 - Always Stay Single (Vol. 3, source page 281) ========================================================================================== No. 55 ALWAYS STAY SINGLE also known as Married and Single Life One of many songs that warn against hasty marriage and praises single life. This song is well-known in North Carolina, where I was born and raised, but it doesn’t appear to have been known in other areas of the country. Since the only version I have seen in print is the one in Sharp, II, 3, I assume that the song originated in England. Always Stay Single Come all you young people and listen to me, I’ll sing you a song of your sad destiny. I'm a man of experience, and I understand How love's been the ruin of many a man. Chorus Always stay single, and always be free! Always stay single, and happy you’ll be. If you want to get married, don’t do as I've done And get yourself married before twenty-one; And don't you get married before love has set! Make sure that you love her, avoid regret. MB Song Texts 1366 0 listen, young fellows, and play the game smart: Don’t waste your affections on love at the start. For once you are married you ain't your own man; It's wiser to wait some, to watch and to plan. So always stay single, make sure that you can, And tell all the women you are your own man. If you ever get married, if you lose your head. You'll find yourself wishin' at times you were dead! *************************** ========================================================================================== No. 56 - Amanda and Algin (Vol. 3, source page 282) ========================================================================================== Ho. 56 AMANDA AND ALGIN also known as Amanda and Albin Amanda the Captive Bright Amanda Her White Bosom Bare Olban The White Captive Young Albion The Young Chief This was^first a poem, then a song. The original text, by Thomas C. Upham, was first published in the Columbian Centinel, Boston, Sept. 19, 1818. The first traditional text was collected and printed by John Lomax, According to W. A. Martin ( Arcadian Magazine , Eminence, Missouri, July 1932, p. 31), the song text is rooted in both fiction and history. The fiction roots derived from James P. Cooper's Wish - Ton - Wish and the historical roots concern a Pawnee warrior known as Petalasharoo. "The tribe,” said Martin, "was preparing to burn a young girl captured from a neighboring tribe when the young warrior rushed in, cut the bonds, carried her off....and went with her near enough to her own people for her to make her way home.” To commemorate the incident, according to Martin, the girl students "of Miss White's school in Washington sent the young chief MB Song Texts 1367 a silver medal" in 1821. The words of this poem are sung to a variety of tunes, two being sets of Bog and Gun and The Lady Leroy . It is interesting to learn that traditional versions re covered west of the Mississippi River are not sung to the same air as those recovered in the Southern states and in New England. REFERENCES Barry (MWS), 36-37 Bulletin (FSSN), VIII, 19-24 Carmer (SRA), 50-51 Flanders (CSV), 28-29 Flanders (NGMS), 256-259 Hubbard, 98-99 Jour (AFL), XXII, 256; XXV, 169; XLVIII, 351; LVI, 137 Lomax (CS-1919), 271-273 Moore (3FSS), 331-333 Morris, 128-130 Randolph, IV, 118-120 Will, 256-257 Amanda and Algin The sun had gone down o'er the hills in the West, And the last beam had faded o'er the mossy hill crest. With the beauties of nature and charm of the fair, Amanda was bound with her white bosom bare, « with her white bosom bare. Amanda was there, so friendless and forlorn, With her face bathed in blood and garments all torn; She counted vengeance in the face of her foes, And she sighed for the time when her sufferings would close. Young Algin, the bravest of warriors, drew near. With an eye like the eagle and step like the deer: "Forbear!" cried young Algin, "Your tortures forbear! This maiden shall live by my wailing, I swear. MB Song Texts 1368 "This maiden's freedom I crave to give— A sigh for suffering and tears for her grave; If a victim this night shall burn at the tree, Then I, your own leader, that victim shall be." It was just before day that a streak of white and blue Went gliding o'er the water in a small-like canoe; As swift as a wild duck skimming the tide, Amanda and Algin over the waters did ride. On that very same day a white streak was seen On the blue, bubbling water and willows of green; And great was the joy when she came ashore And embraced her dear father and mother once more. Young Algin stood by and saw them embrace With a song in his heart and a tear on his face; And all that he asked for doing such good Was kindness and food for his tribe in the wood. *****************-#••*••*•#•**•#•** ========================================================================================== No. 57 - Amen! (Vol. 3, source page 284) ========================================================================================== No. 57 AMEN! also known as The Sailor and the Soldier The Soldier and the Sailor This song is a type of "social satire" that once enjoy ed considerable popularity in America and England. According to Cecil Sharp, what we have here is an American adaptation of the English song, The Mare and the Foal. REFERENCES Jour (FSS), V, 72; VIII, 270 Doerflinger, 277-278 MB Song Texts 1369 Karpeles (EPS), II, No. 376 Reeves, 187 Sharp (PSE), IV, 14 Silverman, I, 392 Williams (PSUT), 104 Amen! A soldier and a sailor went a-walking one day. Said the sailor to the soldier, "I've a good mind to pray Por the rights of the people and the wrongs of all men: May the devil double, double, triple damn them!" Said the soldier, "Amen!" "Now here's to those lawyers! they'll plead for your cause, They'll take all your money and give you tough laws. At last they'll send you to jail and let you remain: May the devil double, double, triple damn them!" Said the soldier, "Amen!" "Here's to the ministers! they'll preach and they'll pray. They'll take your hard earnings and fool it away. At last they'll consign you to hell, and there to remain: May the devil‘double, double, triple damn them!" Said the soldier, "Amen!" Now here's to the farmer who follows the plough And gathers hard earnings by the sweat of his brow; And a health to the sailor and the soldier again: May the good God Almighty help them." And they both said, "Amen!" ******************* MB Song Texts 1370 ========================================================================================== No. 58 - American Taxation (Vol. 3, source page 286) ========================================================================================== No. 58 AMERICAN TAXATION also known as In North Amerikay Taxation of America This song is from the American colonial period. Name of author is unknown, hut he or she wa3 definitely political-minded. According to Sigmund Spaeth, a version appears in the Uncle True Songster, issued at Philadelphia (hut he gave no date for the publication) REFERENCES Brand (S-76), 4-5 Spaeth (WSM), 3-5 Silher (SI), 36-38 American Taxation Tune: British Grenadiers While I relate my story, Americans give ear— Of Britain's fading glory you presently shall hear. I'll offer true relation, attend to what I say Concerning the taxation of North Amerikay. There is two mighty speakers who rule in Parliament; They always have been seeking some mischief to invent. •Twas North, and Bute, his father, this horrid plan did lay: A mighty tax to gather in North Amerikay. These subtle arch contrivers addressed the British court, All those undersigners, for to observe report: There is a pleasant landscape that lieth far away Beycnd the wide Atlantic, in North Amerikay. There is a wealthy people who sojourn in that land; Their churches all with steeples most delicately stand Their houses, like the lilies, are painted red and gay They flourish like the gallies in North Amerikay. MB Song Texts 1371 Their land with milk and honey continually doth flow; The want for food and money they seldom ever know. They heap up gold and silver, they have no debts to pay— They spend their time in pleasure, in North Amerikay. Zing George, you’ve heard the sequel of what we now subscribe: Is it not just and equal to take this wealthy tribe? The question being asked, his Majesty did say: "My subjects shall be taxed in North Amerikay!" 0 George! you are distracted! You'll by experience find The laws you have enacted are of the blackest kind. I’ll make a short digression and tell you by the way, We fear not your oppression in North Amerikay. ************************ ========================================================================================== No. 59 - Anchor in the Lord (Vol. 3, source page 287) ========================================================================================== No. 59 ANCHOR IN THE LORD A pre-Civil War spiritual, Anchor in the Lord was sung by white as well as black people in the South. Originally, the song was a hymn. Somewhere along the way, slaves adapted the hymn to their particular sty?e of singing and it became a spiritual. For a similar song, see: My Soul * s Been Anchored in the Lord in Work (ANSS), 131, 133. Anchor in the Lord Song Texts 1372 MB Throw it to my dear mother's door, Anchor in the Lord, Throw it to my dear mother's door, Anchor in the Lord, King Jesus said He would come again, Anchor in the Lord, King Jesus said He would come again, Anchor in the Lord. Chorus Anchor, "believer, anchor, anchor in the Lord! Throw your anchor any way, anchor in the Lord! Throw it to my dear father's door, etc. (2) King Jesus made the cripple walk, etc. (2). *************************** ========================================================================================== No. 60 - Angel De Amor (Vol. 3, source page 288) ========================================================================================== No. 60 ANGEL DE AMOR also known as Angel of Love This Spanish-American folk song was recovered in the 19th century by Charles E. Lummis. In the October, 1882 issue of Cosmopolitan - Magazine , Lummis wrote: "I learned it on a lonely stage-drive of eighty mile in Western Arizona from a tuneful Mexican who had brought it from Los Corrales, N. M., where both he and the song originated.” Angel de Amor MB Song Texts 1373 Angel de amor, tu pasion no la comprendo, Si la comprendo no la puedo espresar. Voy encelar tu u languido gemido, Alla en la tumba par poder descansar. Yo no siento el que me hayas, querido, Yo no siento el que me hayas amarlo, Solo siento el que me hayas cambiarlo Con otro hombre mas inferior que yo Como el que tiene una musica, Y no la sabe tocar, A si se queda, Ay! el hombre en este mundo, Cuando en el mundo no se sabe espresar! English Text Angel of love, I don't understand your passion. And if I did, how could it be expressed? I shall escape from your sighing and anguish There in the tomb, so I can find some rest. I am not sorry you have desired me, I do not mind that we must say goodbye: I only regret, dear, that you left me For another—one less worthy than I. Like a man who has a piano, And never learns how to play, I dream and hear the music of love forever, But no one is hearing what I want to say. *****#******************-******* MB Song. Texts 1374 ========================================================================================== No. 61 - The Ancsls Changed My Name (Vol. 3, source page 290) ========================================================================================== No. 61 THE ANCSLS CHANGED MY NAME also known as The Angel® Done Changed My Name This spiritual dates back to the Civil War. ?/e know this because it wa® one of those slave spirituals sung • by the Original ?i®k Jubilee Sin -ers. Versions are in a large number of folios and songbooks. The tune is similar to that used for Mv Cup Runneth Over , but which song used it first is not known by me, REFERENCES Kennedy (K-l), 36 Marsh (SJS), 227 The Angels Changed My Name I went to the hillside, I went to pray; I know the angels have changed my name, Have changed my name for the coming day, Thank God! The angels have changed my name. Done changed my name for the coming day, I know the angels have changed my name, Have changed my name for the coming day, Thank God! The angels have changed my name. I looked at my hand® and my hands were new, I know the angels have changed my name. I looked at my feet and my feet were too. . Thank God! The angels have changed my name. KB Song Texts 1375 ========================================================================================== No. 62 - Angels Waiting at the Door (Vol. 3, source page 291) ========================================================================================== No. 62 ANGELS WAITING AT THE DOOR also known as Don't You Grieve For Me Tell All My Father's Children Another of the old **lave spirituals sung and popularized by the original Fi«k Jubilee lingers. See and compare: When I'm Deed in Work (ANSS), 119. The "don’t you grieve" line is a floater and it has csu«*ed song** to be mistakenly related to one another. For exemole, see: Don't You Grieve After Me in MB. REFERENCES Marsh fSJS), 189 Pike, 271 Work (FSAN), 58 Angels Waiting At The Door My sister’s took her flight and gone home, And the angels waiting at the door; My sister's took her flight and gone home, And the angels waiting at the door. Chorus Tell all my father's children, Don't you grieve for me; Tell all my father's children, Don't you grieve for me. She has laid down her cross and gone home. With the an~el«* waiting at the door; She has laid down her cross and gone home. With the angel** weiting at the door. She had put on her crown and gone home, With the angels waiting at the door; She had put on her corwn and gone home. With the angels waiting at the door. MB Song Texts 1376 ========================================================================================== No. 63 - The Animal Pair (Vol. 3, source page 292) ========================================================================================== No. 63 THE ANIMAL PAIR algo known as I Went To The Animal Pair This is an old minstrel-stage song that was adopted by generations of college students and innumerable barroom quartettes. Now it has become a song sung for the amusement of children. REFERENCES Brown, III, 219; V, 128 Bulletin (TPS), V, 43 Clark (ESB), 125 Davis (PSV), 204 Henry (SSSA), 241 Loesser, 242-243 Luther, 255 Randolph, III, 207 Sandburg (AS), 348-349 Silverman, I, 313 Spaeth (REW), 79 Talley, 159-160 Winn (1), 152-153 Yolen, 188-189 The Animal Pair I went to the Animal Pair, The birdB and the beasts were there; The big baboon, by the light of the moon, Was combing his auburn hair. The monkey he got drunk And sat on the elephant’s trunk; The elephant sneezed and fell on his knees— And what became of the monk, the monk. What became of the monk? MB Song Texts 1377 No« 64 ANIMALS also known as The Animal Song The Bestiary This is one of those "educational type" songs de signed for amusement. There are many short songs of this genre, including the following from North Carolina: Weasel and Rat, Mosquito and the Cat, Chicken and the Bumble-Bee; The old Baboon, the fuzzy little Coon— They all went wild but me* Except for the names of animals there is no point to the various versions of this song. Pour versions are given below. REFERENCES Brown, III, 215; V, Ives (SA), 52 124 Seeger (3), 80 Gardner (BSSM), 472 Winn (1), 41 Animals ( Version A) Alligator, Hedgehog, Anteater, Bear, Rattlesnake, Buffalo, Anaconda, Hare, Bullfrog, Woodchuck, Wolverine, Goo=e, Whippoorwill, Chipmunk, Jackel, Moose. Version B Mud-turtle, Whale, Glow-worm, Bat, Salamander, Snail, Maltese Cat, Black Squirrel, Loon, South Guinea hen, Snow-white Dove, Caterpillar, Wren. Version C Polecat, Dog, Wild Otter, Rat, Pelican, Hog, Dodo, Bat, MB Song Texts 1578 Eagle, Kingeron, Sheep, Duck Widgeon, Conger, Armadillo, Beaver, Seal, Pigeon. Version D Reindeer, Blacksnake, Ibex, Nightingale, Martin, Wild Drake, Crocodile, and Quail; House rat, Tosrat, White bear, Doe, Chickadee, Peacock, Bobolink, and Crow. ************************ ========================================================================================== No. 65 - Animal Tails (Vol. 3, source page 294) ========================================================================================== No. 65 ANIMAL TAILS also known as Old Raccoon Raccoon and the Possum The Raccoon Has a Bushy Tail Raccoon's Got a Bushy Tail Racconn Wears a Bushy Tail The Squirrel The Squirrel Has a Bushy Tail The Squirrel Is a Pretty Thing Tails This song probably began as a nursery rhyme in Eng land, where it is known as The Squirrel^ The identi fying words of the version below which relates it unmistakably to other versions are "a bushy tail.” To judge by the large number of songs in which the "bushy tail" expression appears, the terminologv was very popular. A few of the songs to which the "bushy tail" lines have been added, are: Buckeye d Rabbit! Whoopee ! in Talley, 175; Boll Dem Cabba g e Down in Scarborough (NFS), 168; Do Come Along ^ Ole Sandv Bov in White, 451; Git Along Home, Cindy in Brown, III, 209 C; I Went To My Sweetheart^ H2H2® in Scarborough (NFS), 165; Old Bee Make Be Honeycom b in Scarborough (NFS), 165; De Poeyum Am A Cunning MB Song Texts 1379 Thing in Brown, III, 208; and Kitty , Caint You Come Along Too? in Randolph, II, 334. Like the ”who will glove your hand” stanza, the ’’bushy tail” lines are apt to show up in any song suited to its structure, usually featuring a raccoon or a squirrel. The two versions given below will demonstrate how the same concept is variated by folk singers. For an unrelated Danish folk song called The Squirrel , see Hornby, 16. REFERENCES Scarborough (NFS), 166-170 Seeger (3), 15, 19 Sharp, II, 330-331 Talley, 5 White, 234-236 Yolen, 100-102 Brewster (BSI), 334 Brown, III, 208; V, 122 Davis (FSV), 319 Emrich (CBF), 33 Ford (TMA), 62 Ford (OTFM), 28 Animal Tails ( Version A: The Squirrel ) The squirrel is a pretty thing, It sports a bushy tail; It steals away the farmer’s corn And hearts it on the rail, And hearts it on the rail. The partridge is a pretty bird, It has a speckled breast; It steals away the farmer's grain And takes it to its nest, etc . The Possum is a cunning thing, It travels after dark; It feels no fear of any thing, 'Til dogs begin to bark, etc. mb Song Texts 1380 The raccoon’s tail is ringed around, The possum's tail is bare, The rabbit's got no tail at all, But sports a ball of hair, etc. Version B: The Raccoon The raccoon ha3 a bushy tail, The possum's tail is bare, The rabbit he just hops along Without a tail to spare. The turkey has a big fan tail, The sparrow's tail is small, The peacock's got a tail with eyes That can't see things at all. The bull-dog has a stubby tail, The pig's is curled about, The turtle has a skinny tail. But seldom hangs it out. The raccoon has a bushy tail. And drags it on the ground, The hound-dog has a long bare tail And wags it all around. ♦#***•* ■**•*■•*■•**■*•■*■■#••»•*•*-*■* *•*■#■* ========================================================================================== No. 66 - Annie Breen (Vol. 3, source page 296) ========================================================================================== Ho. 66 ANNIE BREEN This is one of those sentimental, melodramatic and frontier-based cowboy songs of which 19th century Americans were so fond. Author unknown. Tune varies from version to version. MB Song Texts 1381 REFERENCES Finger (FB), 77-80 Johnson (BBLL), 13-14 Kennedy (TAB), 107-109 Lomax (CS-1938), 225-227 Kennedy (AB), 68-69 Annie Breen For all you men of Arkansas, A song I now will sing Of Annie Breen, from old Kentuck, Who made the forest ring. A sweeter girl, with sweeter voice, No man did ever know; And Annie loved a handsome lad Whose name was Texas Joe. At meetin', after prayers were said, Sweet Ann sang clear and fine; A stranger said, upon his knees, "That girl she must be mine." So arm in arm they both walked home And wandered up and down, Which caused the neighbors, who loved Ann, To shake their heads and frown. He entered in and brought a stain On Annie Breen’s fair life; He told her that he loved her well, Would take her for his wife. When Joe got wind how matters stood, His heart was like a stone; Without a word of parting, He went out to Texas all alone. Before a year in a shallow grave Lay Annie and her child, MB Song Texts 1382 And when poor Joe heard the news It drove him almost wild. He saddled up and he rode out. And rode both long and fast; And in Port Smith he found the man Who'd ruined Ann at last. Words were spoke and shots were fired, And Joe fell on the floor. He said, "In spite of all that’s been, I love my Ann the more." His face was white as driven snow, His breath came gasping low; He said, "My soul is clean, And to my Maker it must go." Before he closed his dimming eyes, He said, "My work's not done." And turning on his aching side, He drew his faithful gun. "You've done your mischief, stranger, But from life you’ve got to part." Joe's finger pressed the trigger And he shot him through the heart. ********************** ========================================================================================== No. 67 - Annie's Sin (Vol. 3, source page 298) ========================================================================================== No. 67 ANNIE'S SIN also known as Andrew Lammie Mill o Tiftie’s Annie Tifty's Nanny The Trumpeter of Fyvie An ancient English-Scottish ballad of love and family MB Song Texts 1383 brutality that did not gain the degree of acceptance in America it enjoyed in Britain. Christie, Jamie son, Motherwell, Scott, and many others, collected and remarked upon the ballad, but the only published work containing versions of it in the United States is Child’s English and Scottish Popular Ballads. A version of three stanzas was recovered in Nova Scotia by Mackenzie, and he reported "It is also in the follow ing chapbook collections in the Harvard College Library: 25263.23, No. 13} 25252. 19.” All versions tell a very brutal story: A young woman’s family literally beats her to death because she dared to reveal her love for a poor man. REFERENCES Buchan (GSEI), 98, 197 Chambers (SB), 143 Child, IY, 300-308 Jamieson, I, 126. II, 382 Johnson (SMM), No. 175 Kinsley, 349-353 Mackenzie, 60 Motherwell (MAM), 239 Muir, 166-167 Whitelaw (BSB), 265-267 Annie♦s Sin In yonder town there lived a man By the name of Justin Tanney; He had a lovely daughter fair, And her name was Annie. Her bloom was like the signs of Spring, That hails each new tomorrow; She had a secret love affair That caused her much sorrow. Her father hired a working-man Whose name was Andrew Lammie; He had the art to gain the heart Of pure, lovely Annie. MB Song Text3 1384 One night when all had gone to hed, There was no sleep for Annie; Love so oppressed her tender heart, All for Andrew Lammie. He came into fair Annie’s room And spoke of love so tender, She gave to him her maidenhead In love’s painful splendor. Oh, soon enough her father knew; He cursed the name of Lammie, Who had the art to gain the heart Of his darling Annie. Her father struck her many times. Then likewise her own mother; Her sister scorned fair Annie’s name, And then came her brother. In jealous rage, with anger hot, He struck his sister Annie; He broke her back upon the stairs, Cursing Andrew Lammie. 0 mother dear, now make my bed, And grieve no more for Annie; For I will lie, and I will die Loving Andrew Lammie. Her father wept and now laments The loss of lovely Annie; He wished he had let her wed Her love, Andrew Lammie. You parents grave who children have, Remember Justin Tanney: If daughters sin with working men, Think of lovely Annie. MB Song Texts 1385 ========================================================================================== No. 68 - Apprentice Boy I (Vol. 3, source page 301) ========================================================================================== No. 68 APPRENTICE BOY I also known as Farewell, Lovely Polly The Prentice Boy's Love for Peggy, or Polly The Prentice Boy The Prentice Boy's Love The Sheffield Apprentice The Sheffield Prentice for Mary The story line of this ballad dates from Biblical days, when Joseph was falsely accused by his mas ter's wife because he spurned her advances. In this story, a serving-man rejects the love of his mistress and she, in an act of revenge, frames him as a thief. American versions of this ballad differ considerably from those recovered in England and Ireland. A favorite of broadside publishers, the ballad was issued by Cadman, Catnach, De Marsan, Harkness, Pitts, Such, Walker, and others. Several of the broadside versions are on file at the Harvard College Library. REFERENCES Campbell & Sharp, No. 97 Cambiaire, 80-81 Chappell (FSRA), 140 Christie, II, 67 Cox (FSS), 294-295 Creighton (FSNB), 45-46 Creighton (TSNS), 203-206 Davis (FSV), listed , 43 Dean, 18-19 Elton, 318 Belden (BS), 131-132 Brewster (BSI), 274-275 Brown, II, 353-355; 17, 204-205 Flanders (VFSB), 94-96 Ford (BB), No. 3307 Gardner (BSSM), 71-72 Gillington (HFS), 14 Gray, 90-93 Greig, I, art. 45 Henry (FSSH), 183-184 Jour (AFL), XXVIII, 164; XXXII, 499; XL7, 51 Jour (FSS), I, 200; II, 169 Karpeles (3FS), II, No. 388 Kincaid No. 3, 18 MB Song Texts 1386 Leach, 316 Moore (BPSS), 163-165 Ord, 421-422 Laws (AB), 5, 20, 57, 90, 245, 301 Peacock, III, 709-710 Quarterly (SPL), V, 139 Sharp (PSE), II, 44 Shearin (SR), XIX, 320 Songster (126), 244 Apprentice Boy I I hated my employer, altho' I served him well; And I was quite determined no more with him to dwell. I did not tell my parents when I up and ran away, And headed straight for New York, where I hoped to stay. I met a wealthy lady who said she lived quite near; She offered me great wages to work for her a year. And after much persuading, at last I did agree To go with her to Holland and serve her faithfully. We had not been in Holland a month or two or three. When I began to notice that she was fond of me; She offered gold and silver, she offered house and land, If I'd agree to marry and live at her command. I said, "My honored lady, my heart has been betrayed, And I'm in love with Polly, your sweet and lovely maid. I promised her we'd marry, and I took a solemn oath— You know, dear honored lady, I cannot wed you both!" I did not see her anger until 3he'd turned away; She swore she'd have revenge before another day! A gold ring from her finger—and believe me, it's no lie— She slipped into my pocket, and for this I must die. MB Song Texts 1387 I swore that I was innocent, but all to no avail; She swore that I was guilty, so they locked me in Jail. The Judge did not believe me, and said that I must die. Bow I must face the hangman because she told a lie. *** *********■***•*■#■**-*•*••**-* * ========================================================================================== No. 69 - Apprentice Boy II (Vol. 3, source page 303) ========================================================================================== No. 69 APPRENTICE BOY II also known as As Down in Cupid's Garden Down in Covent Garden Prentice Boy Printice Boy Way Down in Cupid's Garden The Constant Parmer's Son Covent Garden Cupid's Garden This ballad, like the previous one, is sometimes con fused with The Bramble Briar (see in MB), and for the same reason: versions of all three are sometimes known under identical titles. A related ballad is The Lady and the Prentice, a version of which may be seen in Baring-Gould (SW), No. 107. One of the common titles is Down in Cupid's Garden, but the ballad, below is not related to others known by that title (see Finest Flower in MB). REFERENCES Amer (8), 55-56 Chappell (FSRA), 125-126 Creighton (FSN3), 61-62 Creighton (SBNS), 92-93 Ford (BB), No. 3308 Johnson (PBB), II, 246 Jour (AFL), XXVI, 363 Jour (FSS), II, 195 Mackenzie, 88-89 Manny, 276-278 Pound, 74-76 Pound (SFSN), IV, No. 3 Randolph, I, 429-431 Shearin (SEES), 11 MB Song Texts 1388 Songster (8), 248-250 Songster (9)* 141-143 Songster (12), 79 Songster (37)» 17 Songster (49), 154-155 Songster (61), 197-198 Songster (84). 224-225 Thomas (CAB), No. 216. Apprentice Boy II All thro’ the city garden one evening I did walk; I saw two lovers strolling and listened to their talk. She was a high-horn lady and he an apprentice boy, But in private they were lovers and he was all her joy. He said, "My dearest lady, I’m just a prentice boy. How could I now or ever your lovely charms enjoy?" With cheeks as red as roses, her nature kind and free, She said, "If ever I do wed, my husband you shall be." When her parents heard of it, her father took a hand; He had her lover banished unto a foreign land. She faced them broken-hearted and told them with a cry: "Without my darling prentice, a maiden I 3hall die!" He was consigned to London and to a merchant bound, And by his own endeavors a fortune there he found; And then he sailed to Boston, securing greater fame, And by his careful conduct a richer man became. He soon sailed back to London, but now no longer bound. Of wealth he had a plenty, at least nine thousand pound. With store of gold and silver, he packed his clothes with speed, And went to seek his lady, to satisfy his need. He offered kind embraces but she refused his arms: "No lord, or duke, or merchant shall e'er enjoy my charms!" MB _ Song Texts 1389 He said, "My dearest lady, you once were in my arms, Way down in Covent Garden I did embrace your charms." She then beheld his features and flew into his arms, With kisses without measure she did enjoy his charms; And then next morning early a road to church was found, And there this couple’s pleasure became in wedlock bound. ♦ ♦♦♦-a***-****-#******#*****-**** ========================================================================================== No. 70 - Apprentice Boy III (Vol. 3, source page 305) ========================================================================================== No. 70 APPRENTICE BOY III al<*o known as The New York Apprentice Boy Prentice Boy to a New Prentice Boy York Trader This song i<= apparently a "take-off" on older ballads dealing with the same subject. The only version of this ballad that I’ve seen in print is in Creighton (SBNS), 304-305. Thie ballad is not related to the English ballad of like title, The New York Trader , or The Guilty Sea Captain , versions of which can be seen in Ashton (MSB), 268; Mackenzie, 241 & (OB), 155; Peacock, II, 396; and Williams (FSUT), 265. Apprentice Boy III To a New York trader I do belong, To sail the sea around and round; I had not sailed a league but one When I fell in love with a young woman. M3 Song Texts 1390 Tag Chorus Whack fal lal I day, Whack fal lal I day. And to my captain I then did go And told him my sad grief and woe: "I love a girl as? I love my life,— Oh! what I'd give if she'd be my wife!” "Begone, you foolish and simple boy! To love a girl you can ne'er enjoy— For she has sweethearts on land and sea, And she'll be married before you're free." "Oh, never mind. I'll go and try; Perhaps she might but fancy I. Perhaps she might but fancy I, Altho' I am but a prentice boy." My shipmates and I we did agree To go ashore and have a spree; And to dance with me she was not shy, And toss off a glase with her prentice boy. T bought her ribbon^, I bought her gloves, And safe conveyed them unto my love; And in taking them she showed such joy, Altho' they came from a prentice boy. Now come all you prentices, where e'er you be, Never flirt your love in low degree; But love that girl as you love your life, And when you're leaving make her your wife. ******************** MB Song Texts 1391 ========================================================================================== No. 71 - The Argonauts (Vol. 3, source page 307) ========================================================================================== No. 71 THE ARGONAUTS also known as The Song of the Argonauts One of many songs from the California gold fields. For a considerably longer text, see Dwyer, 195. The Argonauts Tune: Auld Lang Syne Fresh laurel-wreaths we bring today, To crown the Patriarch, Whose hand unchained the golden ore In gulch and canyon dark. Oh, Pioneer! your name we 3 till In all our hearts enshrine: God’s blessings rest upon thy head, Dear friend of auld lang syne. Ho female voice with cheering words Was heard in mine or camp; The miner fed on grizzly meat And had a knot-pine lamp. But changes have been taking place Since days of ’Forty-nine; The miner dwells in comfort now, And kneels at woman’s shrine. We are a band of argonauts From old Eureka State! By seme the golden fleece was found, And others mourned their fate. We digged in gulch and delved in mine, From morn till sinking sun. With aching limbs and moistened brows— But perseverance won! ***•*-#***-**-*-* *****.*** MS Song Texts 1392 ========================================================================================== No. 72 - Argyle and Airlie (Vol. 3, source page 308) ========================================================================================== So. 72 ARGYIE AND AIHIIE also known as The Bonnie Hoose o’ Earlie The Plundering of Arley The Bonnie House of Airlie Prince Charlie The Sacking of Arlee Lady Ogalbie A broadside version of this English ballad was issued in 1790, but the ballad is much older than the broad side. To begin with, the event described in the text occurred in 1640, the year the Puritans began to de stroy property belonging to the militant followers of Prince Charles. It is not likely that a song would have been written about events more than a hundred years old. Although the action described in this ballad is histori cal, the description does not always correspond to what actually happened. The Earl of Airlie was one of the more famous militants on behalf of the King, but he was far away when the Duke of Argyle, acting under a com mission from the Committee of Estates , led his forces against the Castle of Airlie and sacked the estate. The defiance ahd scorn of the lady, as described in the ballad, are also pure invention. She was not present when the castle was destroyed. REFERENCES Barry (BBM), 266-269 Branaer, 129-130 Child, IV, 54; V, 252 Christie, II, 276, 296 Coffin, 119-120 Cox (FSS), 128-129 Creighton (TSNS), 70-71 Finlay, II, 25 Flanders, III, 191-192 Fuson, 123-125 MB Song Texts 1393 Gardner (BSSM), 209-210 Greig & Keith, 123 Hogg, II, 152 Houseman, 212-213 Kinloch (ASB), 104 Kinsley, 614-616 Moore (SPSS), 95-97 Muir, 92-94 Ord, 470 Quiller-Couch, 705-707 Sanders, 130-131 Sharpe (BB), 59 Leach (BB), 537-538 MacColl & Seeger, 89-91 Argyle and Airlie 'Twas long, long ago, on a bonny summer day, When corn was green and mellow, There arose a dreadful, terrible fight Between Argyle and Airlie. The Earl of Argyle and five hundred men Began to march quite early; He led them down by bonny Dunkeld, To raze the house of Airlie. The Lady Ogalbee stood in her tower. And she grew pale and weary; For there she saw the great Argyle, Who came to plunder Airlie. "Come down, my lady, come down," he called, "Come down.and kiss me fairly." "Before I'd have your lips on mine, I'll perish here at AirlieI" "You may tell it to your lord," said he, "Yes, tell it to Lord Airlie- That just one kiss from your sweet lips And I'd have spared all Airlie." "I've one request, Argyle," she said, "And pray you grant it fairly; Take me where I may hide my face— Spare me the fires of Airlie." MB Song Texts 1394 He led her to the highest hill, And, Oh! but she looked weary; He made her stand and view the land, To face the fires of Airlie! "Were John at home," the lady said, "Instead of with Prince Charlie, Not you nor any Scottish lord Would dare set foot on Airlie! "There’s seven sons all born to me. And let me say quite clearly: If I were blest with as many more, I’d beg them fight for Charlie!" *********************** ========================================================================================== No. 73 - The Arkansas Traveler (Vol. 3, source page 310) ========================================================================================== No. 73 THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER This piece is known primarily as a fiddle tune and it is still popular around the nation. The tune was so popular in America during the 19th century that it was even dramatized for the stage. Por a complete script of a local school production, see Pord (TMA), 188-192. Por opening scenes of the play, Kit the Arkansas Traveller , see Cox (PSS), 503* A sheet music version, together with dialogue, was published in the 1850s by Blodgett & Bradford, Buffalo, N. Y.; it was later reprinted in The Arkansas Traveller’s Song—Book (New York, N. Y., c. 1864), p» 5« Por an interesting study of the piece, see H. C. Mercer’s "On Track of ’The Arkansas Traveler’" in Century Magazine, vol. 51, No. 5 (March, 1896), 707-712. MB Song Texts 1395 For a similar song sometimes known by the same title, see The State of Arkansas in this Master Book. REFERENCES Agay (1), 45 JLrmitage, I, 26 Berger, 19-20 Botkin (AFL), 346-349 Brown, III, 381-382 Cox (FSS), 503-505 Cox (TBFS), 210 Ford ( OTFM ) , 22 Ford (TMA), 46 Henry (FSSH), 361-362 Levy, 331-332 Loesser, 54-57 Lomax (ABFS), 267-271 Luther, 147-148 Masterscn, 359 Randolph, III, 22-25 Ryan, 100 Shaw, 390 Shoemaker (MMP), 250 Silverman, I, 14 The Arkansas Traveler Oh, once upon a time in Arkansas, An old man sat in his little cabin door, And fiddled at a tune that he liked to hear; A jolly old tune that he played by ear. It was raining hard, but the fiddler didn't care, He saw'd away at the popular air, Tho' his roof tree leaked like a waterfall, That didn't seem to bother the man at all. A traveler came riding by that day, And stopped to listen to the old man play. The cabin was afloat and his feet were wet, And yet the old man didn't seem to fret. So the stranger said, "Now the way it seems to me, You'd better mend your roof,'* said he. But the old man said, as he play'd away: "I couldn't mend it on such a rainy day." The traveler replied, "That's all quite true, But this, I think, is the thing for you to do: Song Texts 1396 MS Get busy on a day that is fair and bright. Then patch the old roof till it’s good and tight." But the old man kept on a-playing at his reel, And tapped the ground with his leathery heel. "Get along," said he, "for you give me a pain! My dang roof never leaks when it doesn't rain." *************************** ========================================================================================== No. 74 - Asms Op Love I (Vol. 3, source page 312) ========================================================================================== No. 74 ASMS OP LOVE I also known as At the Back o' Bennachie Bolts and Locks I Dreamed Last Night of My True Love I Dreamed of My True Love, or Lover The Lass o' Bennachie Last Night As I Dreamed of My True Love Locks and Bolts Love Laughs at Locksmiths An Old Love Song Rainbow Willow Sweet William The Vain Dreamer According to Christie, the story of this old ballad "is supposed to refer to the return of Ensign Knight to claim Miss Ers^ine of Pittodrie as his bride." Accord ing to Brewster, "It is probably descended from or at least is related to the Pepys broadside of A Constant Wife . Part I (Rollins, II, 201)." Arnold says, "It is related to Child No. 7," which is Earl Brand. But Randolph thought the ballad derived "from a Scottish song known as The Lass of Bennochie," a version of which is in Ord, 438-439* Randolph's opinion is supported by MacColl & Seeger and several other collectors. Al though many differing versions have been recovered and MB Song Texts 1397 published in the United States, all of them tell the same story essentially, including the A and B versions given below. REFERENCES Arnold, 62 Belden (BS), 168-169 Brewster (BSI), 300-302 Brown, II, 284; IV, 157 Campbell & Sharp, No. 80 Chappell (FSRA), 132 Chase (AFTS), 132-133 Christie, I, 36, 57 Creighton (MFS), 54-56 Davis (FSV), 91 Downes, 37-39. 42-43 Ebsworth (RB), I, 599 Edwards (CHSB), 27 Emrich (FAL), 544 Euing, No. 41 Greig, I, No. 8 Henry (FSSH), 253-255 Hubbard, 137-138 Jour (AFL), XIV, 100; XLIX, 236; III, 13 Jour (EFDS), IV, 180-181; IX, 192-193 Jour (FSS), V, 114 Karpeles (EFS), I, 346-348 Kennedy, 362 Laws M 13, 186 MacColl & Seeger, 253-259 Moore (BFSS), 209-210 Ord, 438-441 Owens (TFS), 54 Randolph, I, 413-414 Rollins (PB), II, 201 Sandburg (AS), 149 Scarborough (SC), 115-116 Scott (BA), 39-40 Sharp, II, 17-19 Arms of Love I ( Version A) Last night I dreamed of my true love, And in my arms I held her; Her pretty yellow hair, in strands of gold, Were dangling 'round my pillow. One day I went to her father's house And inquired for my darling; They said to me, "There's no such here," Which filled my heart with sorrow. She heard my voice and called to me, She called out from the window: MB Song Texts 1398 "My love, I’d like to be with you, But locks ana bolts do hinder." I stood awhile in deep despair, And then I lost ay temper; My anger grew, my sword I drew, And swore that room I’d enter. Her uncle and some other men Were quick to leap and follow; They said before she’d go with me, In my own blood I’d wallow. Then doors and windows fell apart. And locks and bolts did shatter; To lock a heart away from love Is quite a serious matter. Some blood was shed, and some my own, But they could never hold her; And she is such a bonny bride, My arms of love enfold her. VERSION B I fell in love with a country lass, While she herded family cattle; But her father he did me betray, And he sent me off to battle. I fought in hill, I fought in dale, And over dykes and valleys; When peace arrived, I went home A-lookin' for my dearie. When I got down to her father’s house, I asked about my dearie; They all told me no such was there And made my heart grow weary. MB Song Texts 1399 My own true love had heard my voice And called from her high window: "Love, here I am, but I cannot come Till locks and keys are sundered.'* I stood awhile, in a fretful way, And being in angry passion, My temper flew and my sword I drew, And soon locks and keys were sundered. I hacked and cut with an angry hand, Till the locked dorr was not a bother; I took my true love by the hand And my broadsword in the other. Her uncle and her father's men Were too scared to follow after; I told them all to come and fight, And taunted them with laughter. I*ve been out where the bullets flew, Where the cannons loudly rattle, But it's at the back of Bennachie That I fought my greatest battle. *************************** ========================================================================================== No. 75 - Arms 0? Love II (Vol. 3, source page 315) ========================================================================================== No. 75 ARMS 0? LOVE II also known as Daughter in the Dungeon My Faithful Servant Man Since Love Can Enter an Iron Door The story theme of this ballad is the same as that of the foregoing song, Arms of Love I. It is the kind of story that fascinated ballad-makers over the three centuries. Even longer. As Helen Flanders reminded us, MB Song Texts 1400 "The motif of the father who guards his daughter from possible suitors, unwisely and not too well, is as old as Ovid's story of Lanae and as new as The Barrets of Wimpole Street ." The exact age of this ballad is not known, but it certainly predates 1840. We know this be cause there is a Catnach broadside, and Catnach was in business, in London, between 1813 and 1838. REFERENCES Creighton (MFS), 54-56 Karpeles (EPS), I, 343 Creighton (SBNS), 181-183 Laws M 15, 187 Flanders (NGMS), 17-19 Peacock, II, 590-591 Jour (PSS), I, 220; II, 97 Arms of Love II There was a maiden so fair and handsome, I tell to you as I have been told; On the banks of Shannon, near a lofty mountain. Her father stored a vault of gold. Her hair was black as a raven's feather, Her form and features were fair and grand; On the edge of folly was her loving nature, She fell in love with a servant man. As Mary Ann and her love were walking, Her father saw them and closer drew; And as the two were together talking, The father's rage it grew and grew. To build a dungeon was his intention. To part the lovers he contrived a plan; He swore an oath too vile to mention— He'd part her from her servant man. MB Song Texts 1401 He built the dungeon of brick and mortar, And built it deeply underground; The food he gave her was bread and water— The only cheer that for her was found. When Edward learned of her habitation, All so well secured by an iron door, He vowed in spite of all the nation To gain her freedom or rest no more. He took his leisure and toiled with pleasure, To gain the freedom of Mary Ann; He sought his love and gained her favor— She cried, "My faithful servant man!" Sweet Mary Ann and her love got married, And took their vows by God above; He gained his sweetheart, she found her treasure, And now they live in the arms of love. *********************** ========================================================================================== No. 76 - Arnold at Quebec (Vol. 3, source page 317) ========================================================================================== No. 76 ARNOLD AT QUEBEC also known as Arnold Is As Brave A Man Canadian-Loyalist song, published with this comment: "Written at Quebec soon after the late siege thereof." The historical background concerns General Eichard Montgomery, who led American rebel troops in a campaign against the British in Canada. Montgomery's forces captured Port St. John, where, incidently, he took Major Andre prisoner (see John Paulding and Major Andre in this M3) . Montgomery pressed on, finally occupying Quebec. In the meantime, General Washington sent Benedict Arnold to lead a MB Song Texts 1402 diversionary force through Maine. Arnold and Mont gomery joined forces and attacked Quebec. Arnold was wounded, Montgomery was killed. The British took more than 300 prisoners. The remaining rebel troops struggled homeward, taking the injured Arnold with them. For another version of this song, see Brand (S-76), 55. Arnold At Quebec Tune: Yankee Doodle Arnold is as brave a man As ever dealt in horses; He now commands a hungry clan Of New England jackasses. Chorus Yankee Doodle, keep it up, Yankee Doodle Dandy! Mind the music and the step, And with the girls be handy. With sword and spear Arnold vows Old Quebec shall be taken; But if he'd be advised by me, He'd turn and save his bacon! The other day he did assay To do some execution, But he saw fit to run away— For lack of resolution. So thus, my friends, we are the best By all those damn'd invaders! No greater villains ever met Than those damn Yankee raitors! ******************* MB Song Texts 1403 ========================================================================================== No. 77 - A-roving (Vol. 3, source page 319) ========================================================================================== Ho. 77 A-ROVING also known as Amsterdam I'll Go No More A—Roving The Amsterdam Maid Maid of Amsterdam This is one of those "full circle" songs so often dis cussed by collectors and song-tracers: It began on shore, went out to sea, and then returned again to shore. Sailors sang the song as a capstan shanty and, perhaps, as a forecastle piece, but its popularity among landlubbers was even greater. For a version from a Dutch or Flemish source, see: Be Meysges van het Sykenhout in Flommond van Duyse's Het Oude Nederlandsche Lied . II (1905), pp. 979-980. Van Buyse got it from Chants Pooulaires des flamands de France, by De Coussemaker, p. 380. REFERENCES Agay (1), 51 Baltzer, II, 40 Best, 134 Bone, 100-103 Boughton, 12 Bullen & Arnold, 11 Cazden, II, 24-27 Chamberlain, 124 Colcord, 87-88 Bavis (SSC), 68-69 Boerflinger, 56-58 Emrich (FAL), 443-444 Farnsworth, 100-101 Finger (FB), 156-157 Grainger, No. 153 Hugill (1), 48-51 Hugill (2), 167-170 Ives (SA), 70-71 Ives (SB), 130, 114 Johnson (B3LL), 32-33 Jour (FSS), II, 245 King, 23 Leisy, 12-13 Leisy (LAS), 66 Leisy (SPS), 176-177 Linscott, 125-126 Luce, 226 Masefield (SG), 366 Meloney, 7 Most (PCS), 68 Patterson (SA), 177 Robinson, 38 MB Song Texts 1404 Samson, 12 Scott (PSS), 8 Sharp (EFC-2), 28-29 Shay (ASSC), 80-81 Shay (IMWS), 80 Silverman, II, 274 Whall (SSS), 58 Trident, 88-89 Waite, 96 Terry, II, 6, 8 Trevine, 2 A-Roving ( Version A) In New York town I met a maid— Mark well what I do say! In New York town I met a maid, And overnight with her I stayed. I'll go no more a-roving with you, fair maid! Chorus A-roving, a-roving, a-roving's been my ru-i-in! I'll go no more a-roving with you, fair maid! I took this maid out for a walk— Mark well what I do say! I took this maid out for a walk; Of love and bed we had a talk, I'll go no more a-roving with you, fair maid! Her eyes were blue, her cheeks were brown— Mark well what I do say! Her eyes were blue, her cheeks were brown, And she dressed in a flimsy gown. I'll go no more a-roving with you, fair maid! I took her out and spent my pay— Mark well what I do say! I took her out and spent my pay, Then each of us went our own way. I'll go no more a-roving with you, fair maid! Song Texts 1405 BO VERSION B In Amsterdam there lived a maid. Now mark you what I say: In Amsterdam there lived a maid, And she was mistress of her trade. 1*11 go no more a-roving with you, fair maid. Chorus A-roving, a-roving, a-roving*s been my ru-i-in! I'll go no more a-roving with you, fair maid! I put my hand upon her knee, Now mark you what I say: I put my hand upon her knee; She said, "Young man, you're rather free! I'll go no more, etc. I put my hand upon her thigh, Now mark you what I say; I put my hand upon her thigh; She said, "Young man, you're rather high!" I'll go no more, etc. I rolled her over on her back, Now mark you what I say: I rolled her over on her back, And thought the goddamn bed would crack! I'll go no more, etc . When she had got my whole year's pay, Now mark you what I say: When she had got my whole year's pay, She slipped her anchor and sailed away! I'll go no more, etc. ****** ******* •»***.* *.*.*# MB Song Texts 1406 ========================================================================================== No. 78 - The Artilleree (Vol. 3, source page 322) ========================================================================================== No* 78 THE ARTILLEREE also known as With the Dirt Behind Their Ears This is a soldier song that, according to Dolph, is claimed by both the infantry and the artillery. It also does duty in other brances of the U. S. military services. The version below is from Dolph, 38-39. The Artilleree The Artilleree, the Artilleree, With the dirt behind their ears! The Artilleree, the Artilleree, Can drink their weight in beers! The Doughboys and the Cavalry, And even the Engineers, They couldn’t lick the Artilleree In a hundred thousand years! ***************************** S2i 22 THE ASHLAND TRAGEDY This song describes an actual crime committed at Ash land, Ky., in 1833. Bobby and Fanny Gibbons were left in the care of a neighbor girl, Emma Carico. Three workers from a nearby mill—George Ellis, Ellis Craft and William Neal—came to Carico's house and killed Bobby, a cripple, because he knew and recognized them. Then they raped and murdered the two girls. To conceal their crimes, the three men set fire to the house. Later, George Ellis confessed and impli cated the other two men. According to John Harrington Cox, George Ellis was MB Song Texts 1407 hanged by a mob, and the other two, having been tried and found guilty, were hanged by the sheriff. Other reports have it that all three men were tried and con victed, that Ellis went to prison and Neal and Craft were hanged at Grayson, Ky., in 1884. For an entirely different song about the same crime, see The Ashland Tragedy in Thomas (BMMK), 160-162. REFERENCES Burt, 57-59 Cox (FSS), 189-191 Thomas (BMMK), 156 The Ashland Tragedy Oh, people of Kentucky, Come listen while I sing About the Ashaland tragedy, Which was a terrible thing. •Twas in the town of Ashland, All in the dead of night, This vile crime was committed. But soon it came to light. The men who did the awful deed Were Ellis, Craft and Neal; They thought the crime was hidden. And would not be revealed. But Ellis was too frightened And could not bear the pain; To his friends a-trembling He confessed the horrid stain. He said that Craft, the leader. He had an iron heart; He caused those lovely children From this world to depart. Song Texts 1408 %3 George may be innocent, But from what Ellis had to tell The crime that he committed Will send his soul to hell! He dragged poor Emma from her bed And threw her on the floor; He crushed her skull with a bar, And reveled in the gore. Then Craft he stood and did likewise, And killed the other two; And when their forms lay cold and dead, He said, "What shall we do?” Then Major Allen brought the hounds; They did their work quite well— They chased the fiends for days and days. Where e'er they tried to dwell. All night the baying of the hounds Was heard throughout the town, Until the fiends were caught at last: To hell their souls are bound! They took them to Mount Sterling, Where folks rate themselves so high; They say they believe in justice, But don’t want these fiends to die. To hear them talk you would think They forgot they have children too; But if they don’t uphold the law, What will their children do? ************************ MB Song Texts 1409 ========================================================================================== No. 80 - At the Clear Water Fountain (Vol. 3, source page 325) ========================================================================================== No. 80 AT THE CLEAR WATER FOUNTAIN also known as A La Claire Fontaine By the Clear Water Fountain French explorers brought this song to North America, and it remained with the French settlers. According to Ernest Gagnon, in 1865, the song was so popular that it had been accepted as the unofficial anthem of French Canada. And, in time, the song was also sung by the inhabitants of New Orleans, Vincennes, St. Louis, and other French settlements in territories that became a part of the United States. REFERENCES Barbeau (FSOQ), 40-41 Barbeau (JSOQ), 91-96 Bikel (FF), 18-19 Fowke (FSC), 134-135 Gagnon, 1-3, 285 Gibbon, 10-12 Shekerjian, 78-79 Silverman, I, 273 Tiersot (SP), 6-13 At the Clear Water Fountain At the clear water fountain, As I watched one fine day, The water look'd so cool That I bathed without delay. Many a year I've loved you, And in my heart you will always stay. So clear I found the water, I bathed without delay; Beneath a shady oak tree I passed the time away. MB Song Texts 1410 Beneath a shady oak tree I passed the time away; And from the leafy branches A singing bird did play. And from the leafy branches A singing bird did play. Sing, nightingale, keep singing! Let every song be gay. Sing, nightingale, keep singing! Let every song be gay. You have no cares or worries, But I must weep today. You have no cares or worries But I must weep today, For I have lost my true love, And in a foolish way. For I have lost my true love, And in a foolish way— Because of blood-red roses Which I had picked that day. Because of blood-red roses Which I had picked that day. When I would not give her one, She turned and walked away. I’d give the roses gladly, To have her back today; But she is gone forever, Or so I heard her say. **************** * * * * MB Song Texts 1411 ========================================================================================== No. 81 - At the End 0? Time (Vol. 3, source page 327) ========================================================================================== Ho. 81 AT THE END 0? TIME also known as Gabriel’s Trumpet’s Gonna Blow This pre-Civil War spiritual is one of the large number sung by the original Fisk Jubilee Singers. The version below is from Marsh (SJS), 195. At the End of Time Gabriel's trumpet's gonna blow, Bye an’ bye, bye an’ bye, Gabriel's trumpet's gonna blow, At the end of time. Will you be ready to go, Bye an' bye, bye an' bye? Oh, will you be ready to go At the end of time? My lord will say to Gabriel, Bye an' bye, bye an' bye: Soon be time to blow that trumpet, At the end of time. He'll wake the sleeping nations, Bye an' bye, bye an' bye. But will you sinners be ready At the end of time? Oh, sinner, what will you do Bye an' bye, bye an' bye? God's gonna call you to Him At the end of time! *********************** MB Song Texts 1412 ========================================================================================== No. 82 - Auld Lang Syne (Vol. 3, source page 328) ========================================================================================== Ho. 82 AULD LANG SYNE also known as For Auld Lang Syne Old Acquaintance Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot This old Scottish is known and sung everywhere in the English-speaking world. Due to its availability in print, the song has been largely ignored by collectors of folk material. The tune has been borrowed time and time again, and it also played at country dances by old-time fiddlers. However, the air was taken from an older Scottish song, I Fee'd A Lad At Michaelmas; and Auld Lang Syne is merely one of many songs set to it. The words, often attributed to Robert Burns, can be traced back through a series of broadsides to the lat ter part of 1600. Burns merely wrote the second and third stanzas of the song as it is sung today. The phrase "auld lang syne" was current during the reign of England’s Charles I, and had the same meaning then as now: "old long since." REFERENCES Agay (2), 37 Macfarren, 34-35 Mackenzie (SH), 25-26 Most (PCS), 96 Oberndorfer, 44 Shay (DFW), 160-161 Silverman (15), 69 Songs (15), 69 Songster (10), 29-30 Staton, 12 Thomson (OC), I, 66-67 Wier (SWWS), 26 Winn (2), 216-217 Chamberlain, 330 Chappie (HS), io Ditson (GOS-1), 113 Elson, 39 Ford (TMA), 44 Gilbert (100), 23 Hopekirk, 128-131 Johnson (FS), 7-8 Knight, 223 Leisy (LAS), 106 Luther, 64, 215, 224 MB Song -Texts 1413 Auld Lang Syne Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot And days of auld lang syne? Chorus Bor auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne; We*11 take a cup o* kindness yet, For auld lang syne. We twa ha's run about the braes, And pu'd the gowans fine; But we've wander'd many a weary foot Sin' auld lang syne. And here's a hand, my trusty frien', And gie's a hand o' thine; We'll take a cup o' kindness yet. For auld lang syne. *************************** Bees Wax ========================================================================================== No. 83 - Aunt Jemima's Plaster (Vol. 3, source page 329) ========================================================================================== No. 83 AUNT JEMIMA'S PLASTER also known as Sheepskin and Eeeswax This song was introduced on the minstrel stage and, according to Prank C. Brown, it was first known as Bee s Wax. Dan Emmett, author-composer of Dixie and other famous songs, featured this piece in his act. Sheet music was issued by J. Andrews, New York, N. Y. REFERENCES MB Song Texts 1414 Brown, II, 628-629 Colcord, 44 Cox (FSWV), 63-64 Cox (TBPV), 183 Hudson (PTM), 39 McCaskey, VIII, 124 Randolph, III, 153 Trifet (3-1892), 241 Aunt Jemima 1 s Plaster Aunt Jemima she was old, But very kind and clever; She had a notion of her own That she would marry never. She vowed she’d live and die in peace, Avoiding all disaster, And made her living day by day By selling of her plaster. Chorus Sheepskin and beeswax Made the mighty plaster; The more you tried to pull it off, The more it stuck the faster. She had a sister very tall But still she kept on growing; She might have been a giant now— In fact there is no knowing. All of a sudden she became Of her own height the master; And all because upon her head She clapped Jemima's plaster. Aunt Jemima went to church Because she was a sinner; She put a plaster on her head And threw herself out the window. Aunt Jemima went to town On a load of peaches; She put a piaster on her head, And now she can't reach her breeches! ***■**************-** KB Song Test 3 1415 ========================================================================================== No. 84 - Abba Lee (Vol. 3, source page 331) ========================================================================================== go. 84 ABBA LEE also known aa Aura Lea This is an example of 11 Connercial Popular Song" circa 1864 . The aong had appeal exteneding beyond the printed page because it survived quite nicely through oral trans mission and in the 1950s the tune was used, note for note, for an Elvis Presley recording, Love Me Tender. The original composer, G. R. Poulton, was ignored; he was not given credit by Presley or his publisher for his melodic contribution. The words to Aura Lee were written by W. W. Posdick. REFERENCES Agay (2), 137 Armitage, 51 Best, 71 Chamberlain, 311 Chappie (HS), 399 Glass (SS-2), 220-221 Leiey (LAS), 106-107 Lcisy (SPS), 140 Luther, 250 Most (PCS), 15 Silverman, I, 144 Songs (15), 77 Staton, 13 Aura Lee As the blackbird in the spring, 'neath the Willow tree, Sat and piped, I heard him sing, singing Aura Lee. Aura Lee, Aura Lee, maid with the golden hair, Sunshine came along with thee, and swallows in the air. Aura Lee, the bird may flee, the Willow's golden hair Swing through winter fitfully, on the stormy air; Tet if thy blue eyes I see, gloom will soon depart, Por to me, sweet Aura Lee is sunshine in my heart. MB Song Texts 1416 When the mistletoe was green ’midst the winter’s snows, Sunshine in the face was seen, kissing lips of rose. Aura Lee, Aura Lee, take thy golden ring; Love and light return with thee, and swallows in the Spring. *********************** ========================================================================================== No. 85 - Aurore Bradaire (Vol. 3, source page 332) ========================================================================================== No. 85 AURORE BRADAIRE also known as Aurore Pradere Creole song with several Afro-American versions in al most constant circulation. Except for the "books named "below in which versions appear, no reliable information concerning this song is available. REFERENCES Allen (SSUS), 110, 168 Lomax (ABFS), 220-221 Brewer, 185 Scarborough (NFS), 121 Krehbiel, 122-123 Aurore Bradaire ( Creole Version A) Aurore Bradaire belle ti fille, Aurore Bradaire belle ti fille, Aurore Bradaire belle ti fille, C'est li ma oule, c’est li ma pren. Pas mande soulier prinelle, C’est li mo oule', c'est li man pren. English Version A Aurore Bradaire, pretty maid, (3) She is what I want, and her I'll have. MB Song Texts 1417 CREOLE VERSION B Ta moun qui dit li trop zolie, Ya noun qui dit li pas polie; Tout 9 a ya dit (Sia!) bin fou bin, C*est li mo oule, c'est li ma pren. Afro-American Version C Some say that she's too pretty, quite, Some folks they say she's not polite; All this they say—no fool am I, But she's what I want, and her I'll have, *************************** % ========================================================================================== No. 86 - . the Avondale Mine (Vol. 3, source page 333) ========================================================================================== No. 86 . THE AVONDALE MINE also known as The Avondale Disaster The Mines of Avondale The Avondale Mine Disaster This is one of the several ballads written about a mine disaster in Pennsylvania. The Avondale coal mine had only one outlet, and that was the shaft which was fill ed with smoke and fire on the morning of September 6 , 1869 . Trapped in the depths of the mine were 108 men and boys, all of whom were killed. For a different song about the same disaster, see The Avondale Disaster in Korson (MMP), 191-193. The words of the song below are credited to James Pox. REFERENCES Friedman, 307-309 Gardner (BSSM), 298-300 Greenleaf, 123-124 Jour (AFL), XLIV, 112-115 Korson (MMP), 189-191 Korson (PSL), 386, 388 MB Song Texts 1418 Korson (SBAM), 136-139 Laws (NAB), 208 Leach (BB), 783-785 Lomax (FSNA), 130-131 Shoemaker (MM?), 212- 213 The Avondale Mine Good Christians all, both great and small, I pray you lend an ear, And listen with attention, For the truth you now shall hear. When you hear this lamentation. It may cause you to weep and wail; It's of the suffocation In the mines at Avondale. On the sixth day of September, Eighteen hundred and sixty-nine, Those miners all then got a call To go to work in the mine. But little did they think that day That death would gloom the vale Before they would return again From the mines of Avondale. The women and the children. Their hearts were filled with joy. To see the men go work again, And likewise every boy. But a dismal sight in broad daylight Soon made them turn pale; For they saw the breaker burning O'er the mines of Avondale. From here and there, and everywhere, They gathered in a crowd, Some tearing off their clothes and hair, And crying out aloud: "Get out our husbands and our sons. Death he's going to steal Song Texts 1419 Their lives away without delay In the mines of Avondale." But all in vain, there was no hope One single soul to save, For their is no second outlet Prom the subterranean cave. No pen can write the awful fright And horror that did prevail Among those dying victims In the mines of Avondale. A consultation then was held, 'Twas asked who'd volunteer To go down in that dismal shaft, To seek their comrades dear. Two Welshmen brave without dismay, And courage without fail, Went down the shaft without delay, In the mines of Avondale. When at the bottom they arrived, And thought to make their way. One of them died for the want of air, While the other in great dismay Gave them a sign to hoist him up. To tell the dreadful tale, That all were lost forever In the mines of Avondale. Now to conclude, and make an end. Their number I'll pen down: One hundred and ten brave stout men Were smothered underground. They're in their graves till the last day, Their widows may bewail, And the orphans' cries they reach the skies All around through Avondale. ************ ********* MB Song Texts 1420 ========================================================================================== No. 87 - Away Down Sast (Vol. 3, source page 336) ========================================================================================== No. 87 AWAY DOWN SAST This is another of those songs that went from print into the folk-stream, and survived for years through oral transmission. The song was featured on concert stages by the famous Hutchinson Family after its pub lication in the first part of the 19th century. For a cowboy-type adaptation, see Out West in Pound (SFSN), VII, No. 11. REFERENCES Botkin (NEF), 843 Jordan, 185 linscott, 158 Away Down East There’s a famous, fabled country Never seen by mortal eyes, Where the pumpkins are a-growing And the sun is said to rise, Where man does not inhabit, Neither reptile, bird nor beast. But one thing we're assured of: It’s away down East! It is called the land of notions, Of apple sauce and greens, A paradise of pumpkin pies, A land of pork and beans. But where it is no one knows, Neither mortal man nor beast, But one thing we're assured of: It's away down East. Once a man in Indiana Took his bundle in his hand, And he came to New York City, To seek this fabled land. MB Song Texts 1421 But now he stares on learning— What is new to him at least— That this famous, fabled country Is much farther East! ========================================================================================== No. 88 - Away, Rio! (Vol. 3, source page 337) ========================================================================================== Ho. 88 AWAY, RIO! also known as Bound For the Rio Grande We're Bound For, or To Rio Grande the Rio Grande Were You Ever in Rio Grande? This song, commonly referred to as a capstan or wind lass shanty, is of uncertain age. Some authorities think it was created sometime during the War with Mexico, when Yankee ships sailed all the oceans. Others suspect the song is older, dating back to the 18th century. Whatever the truth may be, Away , Rio! re mains one of the better known shanties, both at sea and on land. REFERENCES Adams, 320 Colcord, 35, 86 Baltzer, I, 80 Davis (SSC), 6-7 Beck (FLM), 197-198 Doerflinger, 64-66 Beckett, 2-3 Downes, 90-91, 98-99 Best, 129 Dunstan, 2-3 Bone, 114-115 Emrich (FAL), 447-448 Botkin (WFL), 732 Finger (SCCS), 12-13 Boughton, 78 Glass (SS-1), 14-15 Bradford, 12-13 Harlow (MS), 321 Bullen & Arnold, 13 Harper's (7/1882), 285 Carmer (SRA), 181-182 Hugill (1), 90-94 Chappie (HS), 451 Hugill (2), 145-147 MB Song Texts 1422 Ives (SB), 132 Scott (PSS), 14 Jour (PSS), V, 306 Sharp (EPC-2), 24 King, 17 Shay (ASSC), 21-23 Leisy (LAS), 76-77 Shay (IMWS), 1-7 Leisy (SPS), 131 Siegmeister, 14-15 Linscott, 146-148 Silber (HSB), 70 Lloyd (PSE), 311-312 Silverman, II, 273 Lomax (ABPS), 488-489 Smith (BOS), 18-19 Mackenzie, 268, 402 Smith (MW), 10, 51 Masefield (SG), 320 Terry, I, 4-5 Masefield (SS), 64 Trevine, 6-7 Meloney, 9 Trident, 114-115 Patterson (SA), 217 Whall (SSS), 54 Robinson, 69 Williams (SPS), 8 Samson, 2 Wood, II, 72 Away , Rio? Oh, say! were you ever in Rio Grande? 'Way you Rio! Oh, say! did you ever see such a land? We’re away to the Rio Grande! Chorus Away, you Rio! Away, you Rio! Sing fare you well, my pretty girls, Por we're bound to the Rio Grande! Oh, Johnny came over the other day! 'Way you Rio! Oh, Johnny came over to get his pay! We're away to the Rio Grande! We whupped ol' Santa an' sent him home! 'Way you Rio! Now hills and valleys are free to roam! Were away to the Rio Grande! MB Song Texts 1423 The girls out West are long and tall! *Way you Rio! 1*11 do my best to love 'em all! We*re away to Rio Grande! ***************************** ========================================================================================== No. 89 - Awful I Awful! Awful! (Vol. 3, source page 339) ========================================================================================== Ho. 89 AWFUL I AWFUL! AWFUL! also known as Death Is A Melancholy Call The Lost Youth Death, What A Solemn Call Oh, My Soul! My Soul! The Lying Youth The Sinner’s Warning Recognition of eternal punishment at the time of death is a theme found in many songs, including this one. Other songs of this type have been around much longer, hut the main point—certain punishment for a life of sin— is the same in all of them. REFERENCES Belden (BS), 464-465 Randolph, IV, lp-16 Journal (AFL), XLVI, 44 Richardson (AMS), 63, 113 Odum (NHS), 73 Tolman & Eddy, 423 Awful! Awful! Awful! I saw a youth just yesterday, All in his bloom, and so carefree, He trifled all his time away But had to face eternity. And it's awful, awful, awful, Awful, awful, awful! MB Song Texts 1424 Death to some is a dreadful thing, A final judgment for U 3 all; It takes the young, it takes the old— Both rich and poor must heed its call. And it's awful, etc. This youth lay on his dying bed And cried for God to ease his state; Eternity he seemed to dread. "I see," he said, "my final fate. And it's awful, etc« " He saw his loving parents there, And his sweetheart was standing by. "0 God!" he cried, "please heed my prayer: Forgive me my sins before I die, For it's awful, etc. " Beiore he took his final leave. He tossed and turned and gave a yell: "My soul it can no longer breathe, And I am on my way to hell! And it's awful, awful, awful, Awful, awful, awful! ********************** No. £0 THE AWFUL MORMONS also known as In the Midst of These Awful Mormons Got the Blues These Mormons Oh, Dear, I'm Sad; I've MB Song Texts 1425 One of many anti-Mormon songs that circulated through out the U. S. during the latter part of the 19th cent ury and the first quarter of the 20th. The text below is attributed to William Willes. The tune was taken from a widely known song. King of the Cannibal Islands. REFERENCES Hubbard, 410-411 Lingenfelter, 220-222 Fife (SSS), 123-124 Willes, 49-50 The Awful Mormons Tune: King of the Cannibal Islands Oh dear, I’m sad, I’ve got the blues; I*ve lately heard some dreadful news. I really tremble in my shoes— *Tis all about the Mormons! For sure, they are the strangest set That ever in this world were met— They live in a place called Deseret In the midst of the Rocky Mountains. Chorus Old Brigham Young, he is their king; To him they tithes and offerings bring, And he controls in everything, In the midst of these awful Mormons. In all the nations of the world, These Mormons have their flag unfurled. And sent their missionaries round To spread their awful doctrines. It matters not which way we turn, Nothing but Mormons we discern. I wonder how there came to be So many beastly Mormons? MB Song Texts 1426 These Mormons marry many wives, And every man among them strives To raise the greatest crowd of boys, To thrash the wicked Gentiles. The men and women all agree To Brigham they’ll obedient be; And at his little finger's crook, They'll bring outsiders all to look. So now I think you'll all agree It is a shocking thing to see So many people led astray By their "beastly abominations." I wish that Uncle Sam would send The troops and make these Mormons bend To Christian institutions. **■»■»*******•*•****•»*****■)(•*** ========================================================================================== No. 91 - Ay, Ay, Ay I (Vol. 3, source page 342) ========================================================================================== No. 91 AY, AY, AY I Creole song from early 19th century. Not related to the Spanish song with same title that follows this one (see No. 92). AZ. Ay, Ay I The love glowing in your eyes, Ay, ay, ay, It's haunting this poor heart of mine. Your eyes show me paradise, Ay, ay, ay. And promise a love so divine. MB Song Texts 1427 I see you in all of my dreams; You're haunting me always it seems. Oh, tell me you love only me. Ay, ay, ay, Oh, tell me you love only me l *♦************-***** ******** ========================================================================================== No. 22 - Ay, Ay, Ay II (Vol. 3, source page 343) ========================================================================================== So. 22 AY, AY, AY II Spanish language song recovered in New Mexico by Charle Lu mm is. According to Lummis, this song is "typical of the depth of lovelorn despair which marks a large class of New Mexican folk-songs." The English translated is true to theme and meaning but is not literal. AX» AX» Ax II Toma, Luisa el punal y traspasa Este pecho, pero antes primero, Considers que te amo y te quiero, Ay, ay, ay! Y por ti me dicen infeliz. Ay! Ay! Ay! Que infeliz es mi suerte! Yo o te adoro y deseo ser tu amante Pero tu ni si quiera un instante. Ay, ay, ay! Ni un momento te acuerdas de mi. Las Memorias de un martirio Me atormentan en cada momento; Ay! Dios mio, no hay sufrimiento, Ay, ay, ay! Cielo santo, yo quiero morir. MB Song Texts 1428 Clava, clava, el punal sanguinario, Dele muerte a ml vida y honor! Que algun dia pagaras el rigo, Ay, ay, ay! Con otro hombre que sepas amar. Bajar/ silencioso a la tumba \ buscar mi perdido sociego, De rodillas, ingrata, te ruego, Ay, ay, ay! Que a lo menos te acuerdes de min. English Text Oh, Louisa, take from me this dagger, Plunge it deep within me, let my blood flow; But remember I love and adore you, Ay, ay, ay! And with my last breath I’ll tell you so. Ay! Ay! Ay! How unhappy my life is! I adore you and would be your lover, But such feelings you will not discover, etc . Not for one moment do you think of me. Mem'ry brings me the pains of a martyr, Ev’ry instant new tortures preparing— If only the pain were not beyond bearing!, etc. God in heaven, I ask but to die. Drive, 0 drive this sharp blade in my heart now; Death to honor and life at one blow— One fine day you shall pay for my woe, etc . When some other shall teach you to love. I will go to my grave uncomplaing If it brings back a peace like the old one. On my knees I implore you, my cold one, etc. Try at least to remember me here. ************************ ******* + * + -*&+* ** * MB Song Texts 1429 ========================================================================================== No. 21 - Baa! Baa! Black Sheep I (Vol. 3, source page 345) ========================================================================================== Jo. 21 BAA! BAA! BLACK SHEEP I Lullaby and nursery song. There are several known vari ations, some of a rather gruesome nature. For examples of the gruesome type, see Go To Sleepy , Little Baby in Scarborough (NFS), 147 and Old Man Hippety Hop in Brown, I, 53. Of the two versions given below (A & B) the more popular or better known is version B. REFERENCES Bertail, 147 Perkins, I, 13 Brown, I, 183 Talley, 27 Moorat, 31 Wier (SWWS), 192 Baa! Baa! Black Sheep ( Version A) Baa! Baa! Black Sheep, has you got any wool? Yes, Good Mosser, three bags full. One fer ole Mistress, one fer Miss Lame, One fer de good Nigger jes' cross the lane. Poor liddle lammy- Poor liddle Black Sheep's got no mammy. VERSION B Baa! Baa! Black Sheep, have you any wool? Yes, sir! Yes, sir! Three bags full. One for my master, and one for my dame, And one for the little boy who lives down the lane. * *************************** MB Song Texts 1430 No. £4 BAA! BAA! BLACK SHEEP II also known as Black Sheep Black Sheep, Black Sheep Where*d You Leave Your Lamb? Black Sheep Lullaby- Bones Go To Sleep, Little Baby Old Black Sheep Ole Cow Poor Little Lamb Cried *Mammy.* This is a near gruesome lullaby and nursery song; it is an adaptation of Baa! Baa! Black Sheen I, Both versions below (A & B) were sung by Southern Black people and were probably adapted by them. See and compare: Chickamy Cranev Crow in this MB. REFERENCES Arnold, 97 Brown, III, 152; V, 84 Davis (FSV), 204 Lomax (ABFS), 304 Lomax (FSNA), 503 Owens (TFS), 179 Randolph, II, 345-346 Scarborough (NFS), 148-149 Seeger (3), 57 Work (ANSS), 250 Baa! Baa! Black Sheep II ( Version A) Baa! Baa! Black Sheep, Where you leave yo * mammy? Way down yonder in the corn-field. Gnats and flies A-pickin' out its eyes, An' the po* li*l thing a-callin*, Mammy! MB Song Texts 1431 VERSION B The old cow-bell goes jingle-ling: Go to sleep, little baby! Papa * s gone and m amm a, too: Go to sleep, little baby! Little Black Sheep, little Black Sheep, Where is your sweet mammy*? Down in the meadow, a little black fly in her eye, Poor little lamb cries, * M amm y * * ********************* »£•. £5 BABES IN THE WOOD, or WOODS also known as Babes in the Woods Three Babes The Children in the Wood Two Babes in the Wood Little Babes in the Woods Two Children in the Wood According to Percy, who recorded twenty 8-line stanzas he had obtained from "two ancient copies, one of them in black-letter in the Pepy’s collection," the ballad was written by Robert Yarrington in 1601. Due to the oral process, the 1601 ballad is somewhat different from the texts of the ballad as it is now known. For a text of the older ballad, see Ashton (MSB), 124-127. There is also an English nursery version which begins: My dears, do you know a long time ago. Two poor little children, whose names I don’t know, Were stolen away on a fine s umm er » a day, And left in the wood, or so many folk say. The ballad itself, in reduced form, is still widely known in the United States. REFERENCES KB Song Texts 1432 Baring-Gouid (3NSR) 40 Belden (BS), 106-107 Brewster (BSD, 313 Brown, II, 388 Cambiaire, 121—122 Chappell (PMOT), I, 200 Christie, I, 142 Combs (FSMEU), 216 Cox (TBFS), 89 Cox (TBWV), 73-74 Creighton (FSNB), 183 Davis (FSV), 38 Ebsworth (HB), I, 284 Flanders (NGMS), 234-238 Gardner (ESSM), 343-345 Glass (S?RF), 31-32 Hudson (FSM), 285 Jour (AFL), XXXV, 348 laws (AB), Q 34 leach, 140 Mason (NRCS), 22 McGill, 103-106 Moffat (LSLA), 33 Morris, 401-407 Percy (RAEP), II, 155; III, 169 Pound, 233-234 Pound (SFSN), II, 14 Quiller-Couch, 854-859 Randolph, I, 365-368 Rimbault (MIPR), 108 Roberts (IP), 112-114 Scarborough (NFS), 57 Sharp, I, 309 Williams (FSUT), 217 Babes in the Wood , or Woods Do you remember long ago. Upon a summer day, Two babes, their names I do not know, They w’andered out to play. Then both those lovely little babes Did wander all around. And neither of them was aware They never would be found. So deep into the woods they went. Involved in childish play— Two little babes with one intent. Who soon had lost their way. MB Song Texts 1433 When the sun gave no more light, They both sat down and cried; They clung together in their fright, And that's the way they died. The robins saw them lying there, And sang as robins should, And scattered leaves upon the pair— Poor babes lost in the wood. ********************** ========================================================================================== No. 96 - Baby Bunting (Vol. 3, source page 349) ========================================================================================== No. 96 BABY BUNTING also known as Bye, Baby Bunting Daddy’s Gone A-Hunting Bye, 0 Baby Bunting This well-known lullaby and nursery song originated in Europe. Apparently it was adapted from another popular children’s piece, Itiskit . Itaskit. As used in this text, the word ’’bye" means "sleep”—a usage that dates from the 15th century. REFERENCES Bertail, 110 Brown, III, 148; V, 81 Chappie (HS), 101 Daiken, 23 Davis (FSV), 183 Downes (1943), 233 Halliwell (NRE), 102 Jour (AFL), XLI, 589 Northall, 426 Shearin (SKFS), 38 Baby Bunting; Bye, 0 baby bunting, Daddy’s gone a-hunting, To get a little rabbit skin To wrap his baby bunting in ************************ MB Song Text 3 1434 ========================================================================================== No. 97 - Baby, Lie Easy (Vol. 3, source page 350) ========================================================================================== Mo. 97 BABY, LIE EASY also known as As I Went A-Walking One Pine Summer's Evening The Old Man's Lament Rocking the Cradle The Milkman's Lament An English-Irish song with several American versions in circulation. Song has been recovered in Canada too. A few special versions, doctored by professional song writers, are available on phonograph records. REFERENCES Peacock, II, 478 Sedley, 218-219 Lomax (FSNA), 375 Lomax (OSC), 240-241 Baby , Lie Easy As I went a-walkin' one morning for pleasure, Down by the river, just strolling along, I saw a young fellow pushing a carriage, And to the baby he was singing this song: Chorus Hi ho, baby, lie easy! Your true daddy may never be known! I«m weeping and wailing and pushing this carriage With somebody's baby that is not my own! When first I married your beautiful mother, I thought, like a fool, I had found a good wife; But to my misfortune and sad lamentation, She brought both a curse and a plague on my life. She's out every night to a dance or a party, And leaves me a-rocking the cradle alone; And this little fellow—he thinks I'm his daddy, But little he knows that he's not my own. MB Song Texts 1435 All you young fellows who're thinking of marriage, Take my advice and leave women alon ; If not, when you marry, then by the lord Harry, You may get a baby that is not your own! *************************** ========================================================================================== No. 98 - Babylon Is Fallen (Vol. 3, source page 351) ========================================================================================== No. 98 BABYLON IS FALLEN also known as Babylon is Palling This is a Negro dialect song by Henry C. Work, who wrote it as a sequel to his successful Kingdom Coming. For a revivalist hymn inspired by Work's song and using the same title, see Cayce, 613; Dett, 2; and Jackson (SFS), 199. The version below dates from 1896. REFERENCES Greenway, 103 Randolph, II, 289 Keach, 44 White, 170 Babylon Is Fallen Don't you see de black clouds Risin’ ober yonder, Whar de Massa's ole plantation am? Nebber you be frightened, Dem is only darkeys Come to jine and fight for Uncle Sam. Chorus Look out dar, now, we’s a-gwine to shoot! Look out dar! don't you understand Babylon is fallen? Babylon is fallen, And we's a-gwine to occup de land. MB Song Texts 1436 Don’t you see de lightnin' Flashin* in de cane-brake, Like as if we're gwine to hab a storm? Ho! you is mistaken, •Tis de darkey’s bay'nets. An de buttons on dar uniform. **************■****•*■-»■*•*•*-#•**• ========================================================================================== No. 99 - Bab Bill Brown (Vol. 3, source page 352) ========================================================================================== No. 99 BAB BILL BROWN also known as Bad Lee Brown Bad Man Ballad "Man shoots his woman" is a story line common to several songs. This particular song is available in quite a few versions. For a closely related song, see: Coon Can , or Poor Boy in Sandburg (AS), 310-311. REFERENCES Lomax (ABFS), 89 Scarborough (NFS), 243 Randolph, II, 117 Bad Bill Brown Last night as I was makin’ rounds, Met my sweet woman an' I shot her down. I went right home an' straight to bed; I put my ol’ pistol right under my head. Well, I got up the very next day, Packed a bag for to make my get-away; I made a run but much too slow, An' got myself caught in New Mexico. MB Song Texts 1437 The jury read the verdict to me, And it was murder in the first degree! The solemn judge picked up his pen And said, "You’ll never kill nobody again." He raised his gavel and let it drop: "Killin’ of women has just got to stop! Now what you’ve done just isn’t right, And maybe in ninety years you’ll see the light!" Now here I am all bowed down in shame, Wearing a number instead of a name; He gave me ninety years to life, And all because I shot my cheatin’ wife. ******■»•» *-»**■»* ******* **** ========================================================================================== No. 100 - The Baffled Knight (Vol. 3, source page 353) ========================================================================================== No. 100 THE BAFFLED KNIGHT also known as Blow the Winds, Heigh Ho The New Mown Hay The Knight and the Lady The Over Courteous Knight The Lady's Policy The Shepherd's Song The story told by this ballad is not an exclusive one by any means. There are many forms of it in traditional balladry. For examples, see: The Abashed Knight in Buchan (ABS), II, 131 and Jock Sheep in Kinloch (BB), 16. According to Karpeles and others, The Baffled Knight is closely related to The Knight and the Shepherd * s Daughter (Child, No. 110). For a shortened form, see Blow Away the Morning Dew in Sharp (100), 4-6-47. It is generally acknowledged that the American song, Katie Morey , is a derivative of the ballad given below. The tunes to which the words are sung are even more MB Song Texts 1433 varied than the texts. Bronson alone gives thirty- three airs and does not claim to have all of them. REFERENCES Barry (BBM), 454-456 Bulletin (FSSN), XII, 12 Chappell (OEPM), II, 69 Chappell (PMOT), I, 62 Child, II, 479-493 Coffin, 104 Dixon, 123 Ebsworth (RB), III, 674 Eddy, 64-65 Flanders, III, 89-93 Friedman, 154-155 Greig & Keith, 90-92 Herd (1769), 328 Johnson (SMM), No. All Karpeles, 80 Kinloch MSS, I, 229 Leach (BB), 320-321 Motherwell MS., 410 Pepys, 7, Nos. 162, 164 Percy (RAEP), II, 336 Ritson (AS), 159 Ritson (ASB), II, 54 Roxburghe, I, 306 f; reprint, II, 281. The Baffled Knight There was a Knight and he was young, A-riding along the way, Sir; And there he spied a bonny lass Among the fields of hay, Sir. w Shall you and I, 0 lady fair, Upon the grass now lie down? 0 I will have a special care A-rumpling of your fair gown. "I have a cloak of scarlet red, Upon the ground I'll throw it; Then, lady fair, come lay your head— We'll play, and none shall know it." "0 yonder stands my steed so free Among the field of hay, Sir; MB Song Texts 1439 And if the keeper should chance to pee, He’ll take my steed away, Sir," "Upon my finger I have a ring, And it*s made of the finest gold; 0, lady, your steed it will reclaim Prom out the keeper's fold." "0 ride with me to my father's hall, Where chambers there are three, Sir; And we shall share the best of all, And 1*11 your lover be, Sir." When at her father's hall they arrived, f Twap moated all round about; She slipped herself within the gate, And locked the would-be lover out. He from hi«* «cabbard drew his brand, And wiped it hard upon his sleeve: "0 cursed," he said, "be every' nan, That will a fair maid believe." "A herb there is, that lowly grows, And «some do call it rue, Sir; The* smallest dunghill cock that crows Would make a capon of you, Sir! "A flower there is that shines so bright, A flower sweet and good, Sir; He that would not when he might, He shall not when he would, Sir!" ********* ********** * MB Song Texts 1440 Jffo. 101 THE BAGGAGE COACH AHEAD also known as In the Baggage Car Ahead In the Baggage Coach Ahead This i® a 19th century "pop" song written by Gussie Davie, a black comroser, who also wrote Maple on the Hill and The Eatal Wedding, Those two songs as well a® the one given below were recovered many times from traditional sources. REFERENCES Randolph, IV, 163-165 Shearin (SKFS), 33 Spaeth (REV/), 174-175 Stout, 59-61 Werner, 33 Charters, 70 Hubbard, 216 Kennedy (AB), 261 Kennedy (TAB), 343 Pound, 131-132 Pound (SFSN), XX, No. 4 The Baggage Coach Ahead On a dark, stormy night as the train rolled along, And the passengers were all in bed, Except one young man with a babe in his arms, Who sat with a bowed-down head. The innocent babe began crying Just then As though its poor heart would break. An angry man said, "Make that child stop its noise, For it’® keeping u« all awake," "Take it out," ®aid another, "Don’t keep it in here! We’ve paid for our bed® and want rest." But never a word spoke the man with the babe, A® he fondled it close to his breast. MB Song Texts 1441 "Where is the mother? Go take it to her," A young lady then softly said. "If only I could," was the young man’s reply, "But she’s dead in the coach ahead," While the train rattled on, the husband sat in tears, Thinking of the happiness of just a few short years; The child’s sweet face brings pictures of a cherished hope that’s dead, But its sad cries can't waken her in the baggage coach ahead, •a********************** *■»*****•*•*•** ========================================================================================== No. 102 - The Bailiff’s Daughter (Vol. 3, source page 357) ========================================================================================== No, 102 THE BAILIFF’S DAUGHTER also known as The Bailey’s Daughter of The Comely Youth HazeItown The Sheriff's Daughter The Bailiff’® Daughter of There Was a Youth Islington 17th century ballad with a "disguised lover" theme, but in reverse. Here the woman, not the man, is the lover in disguise. Similar stories are found in other ballads. For an example, see: Masquerading Woman X in MB. The text of this ballad has proven more stable than its tune. Although texts vary from version to version, they do not vary greatly. On the other hand, the times recovered from traditional and printed sources do vary greatly, many so much so that it would be impossible to identify them without the text. Bronson, for ex ample, gives no les® than thirty-four airs for this ballad. MB Song Texts 1442 REFERENCES Ashton (CB), 158-160 Bantock, 52 Barry (BBM), 225-227 Belden (BS), 68-69 Bulletin (VFS), IV, 7 Chappell (OEPM), II, 159 Chappell (PMOT), I, 203 Child, II, 426-428 Coffin, 101-102 Creighton (TSNA), 58-62 Davis (TBV), 383, 585 Dean-Smith, 51 Ebsworth (RB), II, 457 Flanders, III, 67-75 Flanders (CSV), 6-7 Flanders (GGMS), 74-76 Flanders (NGMS), 61-63 Friedman, 140-142 Gainer, 66-67 Greenleaf, 34 Greig & Duncan, No. 168 Greig & Keith, 82-84 Hudson (FSM), 114-116 Jour (AFI), XXIX, 201; XXX, 321, 332; XXXIX, 106 Jour (FSS), I, 125 , 209; VII, 34 Karpeles, 78-79 Kinsley, 342-344 Leach (BB), 313-314 Leisy, 19-20 Linscott, 160-163 Moore (BFS3), 80-81 Morris, 300-302 Pepys, No. 256 Percy (RAEP), III, 133 Quiller-Couch, 811-813 Rimbault (MIPR), 100 Ritson (SCSS), II, 234 Sharp, I, 219-221 Sharp (FSE), V, 41 Shearin (BBCK), 4 Silverman, I, 222 Williams (FSUT), 174 The Bailiffp Daughter There \va* a youth, a Kentucky youth, And he wo® a banker’s son: He loved the sheriff’s daughter fair, Who lived in Lexington. But she was shy, and she never could On him her love bestow. Then this youth was sent far from home, Because he loved her sc MB - Song Texts 1443 This youth was gone for seven long years, And never his love did see. "0 many times I’ve wept for her— But did she weep for me?* Then all the maids of Lexington Went forth to sport and play. But not the sheriff’s daughter fair; She quietly stole away. She hurried home and dressed herself, And ragged wa« her attire; For she meant to go to New Orleans, To seek her heart's desire. While walking on a hard-clay road, So very hot and dry, She stopped swahile to rest herself. And he came riding by. She sprang right up, with cheeks sc red, And seized his bridle rein; "A penny, a penny, kind sir,” she said. "0 help me ease my pain!" He said, "A penny I will give, But where, mis e , were you born?” "At Lexington, kind sir,'* said she, "But there I suffered scorn." The young man then inquired of her, To learn if she did know A certain maid at Lexington, And he described her so. "Oh, yes. I know her very well," The disguised maiden said; "And though I hate to tell you, sir, The one you seek is dead." MB Song Texts 1444 "If that be true, then take my horse. My saddle and bridle also, And I will go to some far land To hide my grief and woe." "0 stay! 0 ®tay!" the maiden said, "She’s standing at your side! I am the one you love so well. And I’ve come to be your bride." "0 don’t you recognize my hand, My eyes, my auburn hair? And is this not the ring of gold You oncegave me to wear?" "0 farewell grief, and welcome, joy; 0 welcome unto me— For I have found my own true love, And married we shall be!" *************************** ========================================================================================== No. 105 - The Baker's Wife (Vol. 3, source page 360) ========================================================================================== Mo. 105 THE BAKER'S WIFE also known as Th Chandler's Wife Known in England as " The Chandler’s Wife," this song is quite old and widely known, Because of its bawdy text it has been omitted from re«oectable, scholastic folk collections. The time, on the other hand, has appeared in print many times, usually set to other songs. For example®, the tune wa= used for The Poacher (see in MB) and for the 1950s pop-novelty hit. The Thing. The version below is one I learned from Cecil Camp bell, Charlotte, N. C., in 1954. MB Song Texts 1445 The Baker* s Wife Oh, I went down to the bakery, To get myself a pie; I walked right in and looked around, But no one did I spy. Well, I was disappointed And some angry words I said, When I heard the sound of a— (knock, knock, knock)— Right above my head. Well, I was slick and mighty quick As up the stairs I sped; And, Lord, was I surprised to see The baker’s wife in bed! With her was a handsome man Of quite considerable size, And they were having a- (knock, knock, knock)— Right before my eyes! When they were finished with their fun, The lady raised her head, And quite surprised was she to see A stranger near her bed. "Oh, sir," said she, "If you won't tell, If you would be so kind, You, too, may come for a— (knock, knock, knock)— When you feel inclined." Now many a time in broad day-light I'd leave my humble home, And right down to the bakery It's straightaway I'd roam. MB Song Texts 1446 She never gave me pie or cake, But gave to me instead Another piece of that— (knock, knock, knock)— Just the way she said! Now listen all you married men: If ever you leave town, Be sure to take your wives along— You'll find the practice sound. The only other thing to do Is lay them on the floor And give 'em 30 much of that— (knock, knock, knock)— They won't want any more! ************************ ========================================================================================== No. 104 - Ballad Op Abdullah Bulbul Amir (Vol. 3, source page 362) ========================================================================================== No. 104 BALLAD OP ABDULLAH BULBUL AMIR also known as Abdul, A Bulbul Amir Abdullah Bulbul Amir Abdul, the Bulbul Ameer Ballad of Ivan Petrofsky Skevar Ivan Petruski Skivah Ivan Skivinski Skivah This is a pseudo-oriental song of uncertain origin, though most authorities agree that it originated in England about the time of the Crimean War. The scng had a rebirth of popularity in America during the 1920s due to Prank Crumit, who made a "hit" record ing of it for RCA-Victor. Following the custom of the time, Crumit claimed the song as his own compo sition and had it published. There is a version in Ditson's Columbia University Songs, issued in 1904. For a parody, see The Cannibal Maiden in Shay (PF-2), 65 - 66 . REFERENCES Song Texts 1447 KB Beat, 56-57 Kennedy (AB), 58-60 Kennedy (TAB), 211-212 Loeaser, 274-275 Lomax (ABPS), 341-343 Luther, 257-258 Sandburg (AS), 344-346 Shay (PF-1), 19-21 Shay (PF-3), 3-5 Silverman, II, 216 Spaeth (REW), 145-149 Trident, 26-27 Ballad of Abdullah Bulbul Amir The sons of the prophet are hardy and bold. And quite unaccustomed to fear; Beat of all, the most reckless of life or of limb Was Abdullah Bulbul Amir. When they wanted a man to encourage the van, Or to shout "hullaloo" in the rear. Or to storm a redoubt, they straightway sent out Por Abdullah Bulbul Amir. There are heroes in plenty and well-known to fame In the ranks that are led by the Czar, But among the most reckless of name or of fame Was Ivan Petruski Skivar. He could imitate Irving, play euchre or pool, And perform on the Spanish guitar; In fact, quite the cream of the Muscovite team Was Ivan Petruski Skivar. One morning the Russian had shouldered his gun And put on his most cynical sneer, When walking down town he happened to run Into Abdullah Bulbul Amir. Said Abdullah, "Young man. is your life then so dull, That you’re anxious to end your career? Por, infidel, know that you've trod on the toe Of Abdullah Bulbul Amir." Said the Russian, "My friend, your remarks in the end, Will prove only futile, I fear; MB Song Texts 1448 For I mean to imply that you're going to die. Mister Abdullah Bulbul Amir!" Abdullah then drew out his trusty chibougue, And shouting out "Allah Aklar!" Being also intent upon slaughter, he went For Ivan Petru3ki Skivar. Row ;just as the knife was ending his life— In fact, he had shouted "Huzza!"— He found himself struck by that subtle Calmuck, Bold Ivan Petruski Skivar. There's a grave where the wave of the Blue Danube flows, And on it, engraven so clear, Is "Stranger, remember to pray for the soul Of Abdullah Bulbul Amir." *************************** ========================================================================================== No. 105 - Ball of Yarn (Vol. 3, source page 364) ========================================================================================== Ho. 105 BALL OF YARN also known as Little Ball of Yarn Spin Your Little Ball of Yarn This is a genuine folk song, because it has survived through oral transmission for a great many years. So long, in fact, we have nothing by which to identify its origin. The song, being on the bawdy side, is sel dom seen in print. According to Hugill (1), 533-534, the song was a favorite of sailors at sea. Ball of Yarn In the merry month of June when the roses were in bloom, I chanced to take a walk around the farm; MB Song Texts 1449 I met a pretty miss and politely asked her this: "Will you let me spin your little ball of yarn?" Chorus Ball of yarn! Ball of yarn! Will you let me spin your little ball of yarn? Ball of yarn! Ball of yam! Will you let me spin your little ball of yarn? When she gave me her consent, out behind the fence we went. I promised her that I would do no harm. I gently laid her down and ruffled up her gown, And began to spin her little ball of yarn. It was nine months after that, in a pool-room where I sat, I felt a heavy hand come down upon my arm. A gentleman in blue said, "Young man, I’ve come for you You’re the father of a little ball of yarn. In this prison cell I sit with my bathrobe in the shade, The shadow of my nose upon the walls. The women, as they pass, stick their hatpins in my coat. And little bugs play hop-scotch with my shoes. ************************** ========================================================================================== No. 106 - Balm in Gilead (Vol. 3, source page 365) ========================================================================================== Wo. 106 BALM IN GILEAD also known as Balm of Gilead This old spiritual was adapted from a hymn of the same title. Later, some verses from the spiritual were incorporated into Round About the Mountain , a MB Song Texts 1450 song credited to Lou Gottlieb and recorded by The Kingston Trio . Bain in Gilead was revived and made popular by Paul Robeson, the actor-singer and black activist. See and compare: Good Physician in Jackson (SP3), 61 and The Little Shepherd in Puson, 199. REFERENCES Chambers (TNS), 14-15 Lett, S3 Hillman, 15 Jackson (SFS), 147 Reach, 25 Luther, 173 Okun, 75-76 Silber (HSB), 50 Silverman, II, 110 Work (ANSS), 128 Work (FSAN), 43 Balm in Gilead There is a balm in Gilead, To make the wounded whole; There is a balm in Gilead, To heal the sin-sick soul. Sometimes I feel discouraged, And think my work's in vain; But then the Holy Spirit Revives my soul again. Don't ever feel discouraged, For Jesus is your friend; And if you lack for knowledge, He'll never fail to lend. If you cannot preach like Peter, If you cannot pray like Paul, You can tell the love of Jesus And say, "He died for all." MB Song Texts 1451 There is a balm in Gilead, To make the wounded whole; There is a balm in Gilead, To heal the sin-sick soul. ******************** I*ve Got a House in Baltimore The number of times one encounters references to the city of Baltimore in old songs is almost startling; it seems to be more a subject than a song. However, there are such songs, and at least one of them is based on a bawdy piece that was popular during the 1880s-90s. Owens (ST), 22, prints a Texas form of the song, observing that it "seems to be a variant of the old bawdy song Baltimore . which is still sung by certain persons of low repute." McLendon, 202, refers to several texts of a song called Baltimore and cites some of them. Brown, III, 136, gives a single stanza entitled I Want To Go To Baltimore , but it is different from all the stanzas reported by McLendon. Brown's stanza goes: I want to go to Baltimore, I want to go to France; I want to go to Baltimore, To see the ladies dance. Randolph, III, 207, prints the following stanza: I got a gal in Baltimore, Street-car runs right by her door, Crazy baby a-settin' on the floor, Get your hair cut pompadour. ========================================================================================== No. 107 - Baltimore I (Vol. 3, source page 367) ========================================================================================== No. 107 BALTIMORE I also known as Build a Brick House I Got a Gal in Baltimore MB Song Texts 1452 Many different songs deal with Baltimore in the location sense, and in this regard at least they are all related. Collectors who have published versions of these various songs are of the same opinion. For examples of the variety discussed, see: llM _to Italy in Brown; Lila Jane and Miss Mary Jane 1° Lomax (reprinted from Scarborough); Liza Jane in Botkin; My Mammy stoled a Cow in Scarborough; Pairing Off in Davis; and Who Moan For Me? in Scar borough. Also see: Baltimore II in this Master Book, The version given below represents about all the accuracy of comparison between versions in other col lections logically permitted. The strongest claim to a relationship is based upon the key lines: "I got a gal in Baltimore** and "I got a house in Baltimore.** Also compare: Hiding in the Buggy , Miss Mary Jane in Seegcr (1), 78-79 and Some Lady* s Garden 3 in this Master Book. REFERENCES Botkin (APPS), 142-144 Brown, III, 136, 145 Dudley & Payne, 19 Jour (APL), XXVII, 252 Baltimore I I got a house in Baltimore, baby, Big fine old house in Baltimore, darlin’; Hundred dollar carpet on the floor, Street-car runn' right by the door, Honey babe. My house is sixteen stories high, baby, My house is sixteen stories high, darlin'; Ev'ry single room you pass by Stacked to the beams with chicken pie, Honey babe. Lomax (PSNA), 498 Scarborough (NFS), 117 White, 296 Work (ANSS), 241 MB Song Texts 1453 What you gonna do when the pie runs low, baby? What you gonna do when the pie runs low, darlin *? There’s a bakery in the corner store. Run down there and get some more. Honey babe. I got a gal in Baltimore, baby, Real lovin' gal in Baltimore, darlin’; Lovin' woman comes through my door, Wants her lovin' down on the floor, Honey babe. What you gonna do when the love's all gone, baby? What you gonna do when the love's all gone, darlin'? If she ever leaves me here alone, Jump in the river tied to a stone. Honey babe. **•*******■*******■»*****•»•»*** ========================================================================================== No. 108 - Baltimore II (Vol. 3, source page 369) ========================================================================================== No. 108 BALTIMORE II also known as I'm Going to Baltimore I Wish I Had a Needle and Italy Thread Needle and Thread This appears to be both a game-song and a square-dance piece. It may also be a composite of Baltimore I (above) and Old Joe Clark. The tune is similar to that used for Italy in Brown, V, 80 E. Also compare Brown, III, 145-146 & V, 80. M3 Song Texts 14-54 Baltimore II Yonder comes a pretty little girl, Tell you how I know: Her head is full of pretty little curls A-hangin' down so low. Chorus I'm goin' to Baltimore 'fore long, Goin' to ride the Eastern line; I'm goin' to Baltimore 'fore long, To see that gal of mine. Gonna take that gal a finer ring, Shines like glitt'rin' gold; I'm goin' home to see my-own true love Before I get too old. Apple like a ripe, red cherry, Cherry like a rose; Oh, how I love that pretty little girl, Prom head down to her toes. Got a great big house in Baltimore, Sixteen stories high, And ev'ry room in that big, fine house Is filled with rock-and-rye. Oh, I wish I was an apple now, Hangin' on a tree, And ev’ry time my pretty gal went by. She'd take a bite of me. Wish I had a needle and some thread Pine as I could sew, And with a thimble straight from Baltimore, To make that needle go. ***♦**-***-*•**--*-* **** **** MB Song Texts 1455 ========================================================================================== No. 109 - Bangui and the Boas (Vol. 3, source page 371) ========================================================================================== No. 109 BANGUI AND THE BOAS also known as Bangry Rewey Old Bangum Bangum and the Bo' Old Bangum and the Boar Bangum Rode the Riverside Rurey Bain Bold Sir Rylas Sir Lionel Old Badman This old British ballad is not known to American tra- dition in its original form. yet it appears to have survived better here than in its native land. REFERENCES Barry (BBM), 434-435 Jour (AFL), XIX, 235; XXV, Belden (BS), 29-31 175; XXX, 291 Belden (PLSB), No. 3 Leach (BB), 100-103 Bell (APBS), 124, 250 Lomax (FSNA), 510 Bronson (BAS), 58 Lomax (OSC), 149-150 Campbell & Sharp, No. 8 McGill, 78-81 Chase (APTS), 126-127 Moore (BFSS), 27-32 Child, I, 208-215 Niles (BB), 77-83 Christie, I, 110 Percy MS., 32 Coffin, 48-49 Randolph, I, 72 Davis (TB7), 125, 558 Ritchie (FS), 91 Dean-Smith, 105 Scarborough (NFS), 51-52 Flanders, I, 226-229 Scarborough (SC), 191, 407 Flanders (BMNE), 60-61 Sharp, I, 54-55 Gainer, 24-25 Smith (AA), 4 Hales, I, 75 Williams (FSUT), 118-119 Bangum and the Boar Now there's a wild boar in these woods, Runnin' 'round, runnin’ 'round, Now there's a wild boar in these woods. He'll kill you dead and drink your blood, Runnin' 'round, runnin' 'round. MS Song Texts 1456 Old Bangum would a-hunting go, etc. So braver man could strike a blow, etc. Old Bangum found the wild boar's den, etc. And saw the bones of many men, etc . Upon that wild boar Bangum fell, etc. They fought like fiends from deep in hell, etc. Old Bangum pulled his killin' knife, etc. And hacked away that old boar's life, etc . Old Bangum told his lovin' bride, etc . We'll eat the meat and save the hide, etc. *****■»*#***■» ■**■**■*■-* *********** ========================================================================================== No. 110 - The Banks Op Newfoundland I (Vol. 3, source page 372) ========================================================================================== No. 110 THE BANKS OP NEWFOUNDLAND I Newfoundland fascinated ballad-makers almost as much as did the penal colony of Australia. In fact, this song seems to be an ocean-going version of Tan Pie man 's Land . It is also similar, in some respects, to Dixie Brown. As Jackson noted, the tune was used for an old spiritual, Wedlock. REFERENCES Beck (FLS), 175-176 Clements, 70 Colcord, 92, 173 Creighton (SBNS), 221-222 Doerflinger, 123-125 Eckstorm, 220-221 Greenleaf, 230-231 Hugill (1), 412-413 Hugill (2), 227-229 Jour (FSS), I, 142 Lomax (FSNA), 59-60 Mackenzie, 385-336 Scott (BA), 145-147 The Banks of Newfoundland I MB Song Texts 1457 Come all ye rakes and rambling boys, I*d have you all beware— And when you sail those packet ships. Bo dung'ree jumpers wear. Just buy your monkey-jackets, boys. And keep them at your command. And beware of the cold north wester On the banks of Newfoundland. The other night I had a dream, I dreamt that I was at home, That me and my one sweet true love At last were on our own. I dreamt that we were there on shore, A jug of ale in each hand, But when I woke my heart it was broke On the banks of Newfoundland. An Irish girl, on board with us, Had hoped to share my name; I promised I would marry her, And played the lover's game. Then she tore up her dresses, boys, And made mittens for each hand— All because she thought that I would freeze On the banks of Newfoundland. We sailed straight by the Virgin Rocks, Where stormy winds did blow; A crowd of sailors were on deck, All busy shoveling snow. We'll wash her down and scrub the decks With holystone and sand, And we'll bid farewell to Virgin Rocks On the banks of Newfoundland. 0, once we pass old Sandy Hook, We'll hear the whistle blow; MB Song Texts 1458 A tug will sail ahead cf us And to New York we will go. We'll fill our glasses to the brim, A jug of rum in hand- For while we are here we can't be there On the banks of Newfoundland. ***********-*-*•■* *•-* •*■*-**** **** No. Ill THE BANKS OF NEWFOUNDLAND II also known as Bound Down to Newfoundland Saint Patrick's Day in Newfoundland - Sixty-Five According to Roy Mackenzie, this song was authored by Captain Cale White of Maitland, Colchester Co., N. S. For a different song known by the same title, see The Dreadnaught in this Master Book. REFERENCES Creighton (MFS), 195 Mackenzie, 228 Creighton (SBNS), 223 Mackenzie (QB), 199 Doerflinger, 201 The Banks of Newfoundland II Saint Patrick's Day in sixty-five, From New York we did sail; And Providence did favor us With a calm and pleasant gale. We sailed away from America All feeling fine and grand; With courage brave we rode the waves, Bound down to Newfoundland. Just two days out, to our distress, Our Captain he took sick, MS Song Texts 1459 And soon he was unable To show himself on deck. His fever raged, which made us fear That death was near at hand. We bore away from Halifax, Bound down to Newfoundland. All that long night we ran our brig. Till nine o'clock next day. Our Captain, at the point of death, Unto us all did say: "We'll bear away from Cape Canso, My boys, come lend a hand. And trim your topsail to the wind, Bound down to Newfoundland." At three o'clock we saw a light. Which we were glad to see; The smallpox was a-raging then— That*8 what it proved to be. At five o'clock in the afternoon. By the Lord's own Just command. Our Captain he did breathe his last Bound down to Newfoundland. Both day and night we did lament For our departed friend; And we were praying unto God Por what had been his end. We pray the Lord God will guide us, And keep us by His hand, Give us fair wind while on the sea, Bound down to Newfoundland. ******************* MB Song Texts 1460 ========================================================================================== No. 112 - The Banks 0? Sweet Dundee (Vol. 3, source page 376) ========================================================================================== Bo. 112 THE BANKS 0? SWEET DUNDEE also known as The Banks of Dundee Sweet William Betsy of Dundee Ten Thousand Pounds in The Parmer’s Daughter Gold On the Banks of Sweet Dundee The Undaunted Female Pretty Mary Undaunted Mary The Sweet Dundee Originally an English broadside, this ballad was a big favorite of the ballad publishers. Robert Ford, writing in 1898, said ”It cannot be less than a hundred years old. Fifty years ago, when harvest work in Scotland was almost wholly done by the hand-hook, it was a common song among the bands of shearers in the Carse of Gowrie and there about when songs went round in the bothies at night." REFERENCES Belden (BS), 137-139 Jour (AFL), XXXV, 354 Broadwood (ECS), 116 Jour (FSS), I, 232 Brown, IV, 341 Karpeles (EPS), II, No. Cazden, I, 24-25 Kidson (TT), 53-55, 173 Chappell (FSRA<), 102 Leach (BB), 740-741 Christie, I, 258 Mackenzie, 84-85 Combs (FSKH), 26-27 Mackenzie (QB), 47-48 Cox (FSS), 379-381 Moore (BFSS), 175-176 Creighton (FSNB), 29 O’Conor, 68 Creighton (MFS), 38 Ord, 406-407 Creighton (TSNS), 128 Randolph, I, 275-279 Eddy, 155-157 Sharp, I, 399-401 Ford (VSBS), 77-78 Stout, 44-45 Gardner (3SSM), 187-189 Tolman & Eddy, 354-355 Greig & Duncan, No. 224 Hubbard, 54-55 Treat, 9-10 MB Song Texts 1461 The Banks of Sweet Dundee 1*11 tell to you a story that took place in this land, Of a very lovely female—but you must understand: She never knew her mother, or so I have been told, And her father died and left her ten thousand pounds in gold. Her uncle rose one morning and hasten*d with his clothes At Mary’s door he stood and waited till she arose. "Arise now, lovely Mary, for married you shall be; You must wed the squire I've chosen on the banks of Sweet Dundee." "A fig for him you’ve chosen, your lords and dukes likewise; For Willie's eyes appear to me like diamonds in the skies." "You'll never have your Willie, what e'er the cost," said he; "I'll have him slain or banished from the banks of Sweet Dundee!" He hired a gang of fighters—they numbered six to one— But Willie fought for liberty, and never tried to run. The blood poured forth in torrents, he fought so skillfully; But Willie died for Mary on the banks of Sweet Dundee. As Mary was a-walking, lamenting for her love. She met the wealthy squire there in her uncle's grove. He put his arms around her: "Stand off! Stand off!" said she. "Ths man I love died yonder, on the banks of Sweet Dundee!" He held his arms around her and tried to throw her down; Two pistols and a sword she saw beneath his morning gown. M3 Song Texts 1462 And Mary took the pistols that he had used so free, And then she shot and killed him on the hanks of Sweet Dundee. Her uncle heard the noise and quickly came around. "What have you done?" he cried, then knocked her to the ground. "Stand off, sir!" young Mary said. "Undaunted I shall he!" And then she shot her uncle dead on the hanks of Sweet Dundee. #********•»**-» **■****♦# *-**.#.** ========================================================================================== No. 113 - The Banks Op Sweet Loch Ray (Vol. 3, source page 378) ========================================================================================== No. 113 THE BANKS OP SWEET LOCH RAY This British "ballad was never widely known in the United States, except in printed form. However, the ballad did manage to carve a traditional niche for itself in New England. REFERENCES Flanders (CSV), 16-17 Flanders (NGMS), 203 The Banks of Sweet Loch Ray I am a poor distressed maid, as others you have known; By love I*m captivated and my heart is overthrown. While herding out my father’s flocks upon a summer’s day, I chanced to meet a sailor hold on the hanks of sweet Loch Ray. "Good morning, fair maid," he smiled and said as nicely as could he, "My pretty one, how would you like to go along with me? KB Song Texts 1463 1*11 dress you finer than a queen, all in the latest style. And when we reach some small quiet town, we'll linger there awhile." With cheeks a-hlush I did answer him, "Your suit I must deny. For I am not quite ready yet to give such life a try. So far away from my own home I've no desire to stray; My heart would break should I not live on the banks of sweet Loch Ray. 1 * •Be not concerned, fair maid," said he, "We have no need to rove; Let us just sit and court awhile here in this pleasant grove. We'll stay right here and court a spell among the flowers gay. And keep an eye upon the sheep on the banks of sweet Loch Ray." Lost in the rapture of his gaze, the time stole slowly on; And now my love has taken flight and from me he is gone. I'll never love a sailor man, if one should come my way; I'll stay and watch my father's sheep on the banks of sweet Loch Ray. ************************ MB Song Texts 1464 ========================================================================================== No. 114 - The Banks Op the Dee (Vol. 3, source page 380) ========================================================================================== go. 114 THE BANKS OP THE DEE A Scottish ballad, and one set to the air of an older •tune: Langolee. The text was written by John Tait in 1775. Tait wrote the ballad for friends who had ship ped out to the American colonies, to help put down the rebellion. Americans parodied the song with ’ Twas Winter and Blue Tory Noses (see in MB). REFERENCES Brand (S-76), 74 Silber (SI), 61 Rabson, 26 Sturgis (SHV), 14 Rogers, 22 Vinson, 30 The Banks of the Dee •Twas summer, and softly the breezes were blowing, And sweetly the wood-pigeon cooed from the tree; At the foot of the hill, where the river was flowing, I sat myself down on the banks of the Dee. Flow on, lovely Dee, flow on, thou sweet river; Thy banks, purest stream, shall be dear to me ever— •Twas there I first gained the affection and favor Of Jamie, the glory and pride of the Dee. My Jamie is gone now and I am here mourning; He*11 quell the proud rebels, for valiant is he— But, oh! what I’d give for his speedy returning, To wander once more on the banks of the Dee. The Dee then will flow, all its beauty displaying, And lambs on the banks will again be seen playing. While Jamie and I shall be carelessly straying And tasting again all the sweets of the Dee. MB Song Texts 1465 ========================================================================================== No. 115 - The Babes of the Little Eau Pleihe (Vol. 3, source page 381) ========================================================================================== Bo, 115 THE BABES OF THE LITTLE EAU PLEIHE also known as Johnny Murphy The Little Low Plain The Little Auplaine On the Banks of the The Little Eau Pleine Little Eau Pleine The text of this song is attributed to W. N. "Billy” Allen, who used the humorous alias of Shan T. Boy. The Little Eau Pleine is a small trihutory of the Wisconsin River, and it flows entirely within Mara thon country, once a busy logging area. BEFERSNCES Arnett, 118 Beck (LLC), 151-155 Beck (SML), 119-122 Botkin (MRF), 578-579 Carmer (SRA), 192-193 Creighton (FSNB), 135-137 Glass (SFRF), 45-48 Lloyd, 42-43 Rickaby, 25-34 The Banks of the Little Eau Pleine Tune: Erin* s Green Shore Last June as I rambled one evening, Through green woods, as I walked along, The mosquitos’ sounded melodious, And so did the whippoorwill's song. The frogs in the marshes were croaking, The Tree-Toads were whistling for rain, And Partridges round me were drumming. On the banks of the Little Eau Pleine. The sun in the west was declining And tinging the tree-tops with red; My wandering feet bore me onward, Not caring whither they led. MB Song Texts 1466 I happened to see a young woman, Who mourned in a sorrowful 3train; She mourned for a jolly young raftsman On the banks of the Little Eau Pleine. •Alas, my dear Johnny has left me. Perhaps I will see him no more. He’s down on the lower Wisconsin, And pulling a fifty-foot oar. He went on a fleet with Ross Gamble And left me in sorrow and pain; It*8 over two months since he started Prom the banks of the Little Eau Pleine.” •If John Murphy is your young love’s name, I used to know him very well; But sad is the tale I must tell you: Tour Johnny was drowned in The Dells. They buried him 'neath a scrub Norway, And you’ll never behold him again. Ho stone marks the spot where’s sleeping, Par away from the Little Eau Pleine.” •A curse upon you, Wisconsin! May your rapids and falls cease to roar! May every towhead and sandbar Be as dry as a long schoolhouse floor! May the willows upon all your islands Lie down like a field of ripe grain, Por taking my jolly young raftsman Par away from the Little Eau Pleine!” ******************** MB Song Texts 1467 ========================================================================================== No. 116 - Banks Op the Ohio (Vol. 3, source page 383) ========================================================================================== Ho. 116 BANKS OP THE OHIO also known as Along the Banks of the I'll Never Be Yours Ohio The Old Shawnee The Banks of the Obadee On the Banks of the Ohio The Banks of the Ole Pedee On the Banks of the Old The Banks of the River Dee Knee Down on the Banks of the On the Banks of the Old Ohio Pedee I Asked My Love to Take a On the Banks of the Old Walk T. B. This is a fictionalized "murdered girl" song, similar to The Jealous Lover and The Knoxville Girl (see in MB). The Ohio River was a popular subject with 19th century songwriters, which explains the many different songs with the same or similar titles. For a study of a group of such related songs, see: Jour (APL), XLII, 247-253. For a different song with the same title, see: Glass (SPRP), 54-55. Of the versions given below, the first (A) is from up state New York and the second (B) is from North Caro lina. REPERENCES Best, 48 Botkin (MRP), 577 Brown, II, 247; IV, 144 Carmer (SRA), 109, 168 Eddy, 233 Gardner (BSSM), 80-82 Henry (BMPS), 44-45 Henry (PSSH), 220-221 Jackson (ESUS), 32 Jour (APL), XL7, 134-135 Leisy, 20-22 Leisy (SPS), 40 Pound, 108-109 Pound (SPSN), V, 2 Randolph, II, 136-138 Silber (HSB), 39 Silverman, I, 76 MB Song Texta 1468 Banks of the Ohio ( Version A) I asked my love to go with me, To come and walk a little way; And as we walked, we stopped and talked About our coming wedding day. "Oh, darlin', say you will be mine, And let no arms but mine entwine; You'll be my bride where waters flow, Along the banks of the Ohio. "I asked your father for your hand, But he did not understand; So only say that you'll be mine. And happiness we'll surely find." I held a knife against her breast, As gently in my arms she pressed. She cried, "0 Will, don't murder me! I'm unprepared for eternity." I took and gripped her trembling hand, And threw her down in the river's sand; I shoved her in and let her drown, And watched her body floating down. When I got home at half-past one, I cried, "My God! what have I done? I killed her there by the flowing tide, When she refused to be my bride. VERSION B My love and I we took a walk On the banks of the Old Pee Bee, And as we walked we gently talked When our wedding day would be. MB Song Texts 1469 "Only say, love you will be mine, And your home will ever be, Where the silent waters flow On the banks of the old Pee Dee." He took her by her lily white hand, And swung her ’round and ’round. Then threw her into the waters deep, And there he watched her drown. "Because she said she’d never be mine, And her home would never be Where the silent waters flow On the banks of the old Pee Dee." ************************** ========================================================================================== No. 117 - Barbadoes Lady (Vol. 3, source page 385) ========================================================================================== No. 117 BARBADOES LADY also known as Nancy of Yarmouth Pretty Nancy Pretty Nancy of Yarmouth Jemmy and Nancy Jimmie and Nancy Jimmy and Nancy This an 18th century ballad. According to Kidson, the ballad was printed by John Evans about 1795. Cecil Sharp, who recovered a fragmentary version in North Carolina, pointed out that the original ballad was quite lengthy, consisting of 56 stanzas, or 244 lines. There are stall and garland prints of the ballad in the Harvard Library, but no such lengthy versions have been found in American tradition. REFERENCES Brown, II, 223; IV, 134 Campbell & Sharp, No. 53 Christie, II, 282 Creighton (SBNS), 81-83 Davis (FSV), 68 Glyde, Jr. (NG), 266 Song Texts 1470 MB Greig & Duncan, No, 222 Jour (API), XXVI, 178 Jour (PSS), II, 113; Till, 209 Memoirs (API), XXIX, 15 Sharp, I, 379-380 Songster (6l), 86-92 Barbadoes lady Lovers, now come, lend an ear to my story; Hear, for example, what happened quite near: I tell of a young couple who loved out of measure— It*s of young Nancy from Yarmouth you'll hear. Haney of Yarmouth, a rich merchant's daughter, Heiress of fifteen thousand a year; The young man who loved her and called her his jewel Lived with his parents, who both loved him dear. Many long years this young couple were courting. Even as children the two did agree. There seemed not a doubt they were meant for each other, Altho’ young Jimmy was poor as could be. When the time came, and they wanted to marry, Haney’s old father would not even hear; He objected to Jimmy as mate for his daughter, Stated his reasons precisely and clear. Haney held firm, and she said with deep feeling: "Riches and honor I do both deny! If I can’t have young Jimmy to love and to marry, Take all that I have and leave me to die!" ■Daughter," said he, "I will strike you a bargain: Let him go sailing one year on the foam. If the strength of your love has not then diminished I shall bless your marriage the day he comes home." MB Song Texts 1471 Jimmy set sail on the ,deep stormy ocean. True to sweet Nancy in spite of his woes; Then the ship he was sailing, all owned by her father Anchored one morning in the far Barbadoes. There he was seen by a beautiful lady, As he came ashore a walk for to take; And she fixed her eyes on him and said in her heart: If I don’t possess him I’ll die for his sake! ••Young man,” said she, ”I’m a Barbadoes lady. Great are the treasures you'll have at my side.” •Twas then young Jimmy answered: "I'm vowed to a lady And I must return home and make her my bride.” Over the sea, on the shores of old England, Nancy’s cruel father had authored a plan; To his good friend the boatswain he promised great riches. If he’d make of Jimmy a very dead man. Greedy for wealth and the leisure it promised. Deadly the vigil the boatswain did keep; And one night in the darkness he murdered young Jimmy Then tossed his dead body adrift in the deep. On a dark night, while sweet Nancy lay sleeping, Into her chamber a ghost did appear, Saying, ’’Rise up and listen to me, pretty Nancy: Your father has murdered the one you hold dear.” She raised her head from the soft, downy pillow, Peeling his presence all over the room, Saying, "It is your promise I come here pursuing— Join me, Nancy, down here in the tomb.” "Jimmy,” said she, ”it is soon I’ll be going, Going forever in your arms to sleep.” And as soon as sweet Nancy had walked to the ocean, She plunged her young body to death in the deep. ********************* MB Song Texts 1472 No. 118 Barbara Allan Barbara Allen’s Cruelty Barbara Ellen Barbary, or Barbery Allen Barb* ry Allen, or Allum Barbry Ellen Barby Ellen Bawbee Allen Bonnie Barb’ra Allan Bonny Barbara Allen BARBARA ALLEN also known as The Cruelty of Barbara Allen The Pate of Barbara Allen Johnny Armstrong’s Last Goodnight Mary Ailing Sir John Grahme and Barbara All n The Young Man’s Tragedy Of all the old English-Scottish ballads known in American tradition, Barbara Allen is undoubtedly the most popular and widely distributed. Collectors have recovered variants and versions in all areas of the United States. In England, the song was first publish ed in Allan Ramsay’s Tea-Table Miscellany , 174-0. Then came Percy’s Reliaues, 1765, where both the English and Scottish versions were given. The first song book of American issue in which a version appears is The American Songster , Baltimore, 1830. Of course, the ballad was known in America long before its publication, and probably dates back to the early colonial era. The ultimate source for the ballad's text has never been established, but the plot and the words are much the same wherever encountered. The most unexpected and unusual title associated with the ballad is Little Johnny Green , a version recovered by Cox (PSS), 109 P MS Song Texts 1473 The two (A & B) versions given below are merely representative, with, version A being the one most commonly heard in the United States. EBFERENCES Agay (2), 17 Allsopp, II, 212-213 Arnold, 8-9 Ashton (CB), 173-175 Bantock, 38-39 Barry (BBM), 195-200 Belden (BS), 60-65 Berger, 14-15 Botkin (API), 820-822 Botkin (APPS), 58 Botsford, I, 26-27 Brander, 74 Brewer, 209 Brewster (3SI), 99-121 Brown, II, 111; IV, 57 Bulletin (VPS), Nos 2 & 10 Burne, 543 Cambiaire, 66-68 Campbell & Sharp, No. 21 Chappell (FSRA), 32 Chappell (PMOT), II, 538 Chappie (HS), 24 i Child, II, 276; V, 416 Christie, I, 87-89 Coffin, 87-90 Cox (PSS), 96-109, 523 Creighton (MBS), 13-14 Creighton (TSNS), 49 Davis (TBV), 302, 577 Dean-Smith, 51 Downes, 28-29, 34-35 Ehsworth (RB), II, 25; III, 522 Eddy, 52-59 Emrich (CBP), 25 Emrich (PAL), 572 Pauset (PINS), 113-115 Flanders, II, 246 Flanders (3MNE), 197 Friedman, 88-94 Fuson, 47-48 Gainer, 57-58 Gardner (BSSM), 50-52 Greenleaf, 26-27 Greig, II, art. 165 & art, 166 Greig & Keith, 67-70 Henry (FSSH), 80-88 Henry (SSSA), 248 Houseman, 130-131 Hubbard, 20-22 Hudson (FSil), 95-107 Hudson (SMFL), No. 13 Ives (SA), 42-43 Ives (S3), 58, 50 Johnson (PS), 327-328 Johnson (SMM), No. 221 MB Song Texts 1474 Jones, 13, 301 Jour (APL), VI, 132; XIX, 285; XX, 250; XXII, 63; IXVI, 352; XXIX, 160; XXX, 317; XXXV, 343; XXXIX, 97, 211; XIII, 268; XLV, 13; XIVI, 28; XLIX, 207 Jour (FSS), I, 111, 265; II, 15, 80 Jour (IPSS), I, 45 Joyce (AIM), 79 Kennedy (AB), 140-150 Kennedy (TAB), 25-26 Kidson (GEFS), 74 Kidson (TT), 36-40 Kincaid No. 1, 14 Kinsley, 353-354 Kirkland, 70 Lair (SLL), 4 Leach (BB), 277-280 Leisy, 22-24 Leisy (LAS), 15-16 Linscott, 163-164 Lloyd, 69 Lomax (PSNA), 183-184 Luther, 15-17 Macfarren, 204-205 Mackenzie, 35-40, 393 Mackenzie (QB), 100-102 McGill, 39-44 Moore (BPSS), 68-70 Morris, 283-290 Motherwell MS., 288 Muir, 187 Neely, 137-139 Neely (PBB), 77 Niles (BB), 202-206 Oberndorfer, 50 Okun, 35-36 Owens (TPS), 23-26 Percy (RAEP), III, 128 Perrow, XXVIII, 144 Pound, 7-10 Pound (SFSN), I, 1 Pub (TPLS), X, 146 Quarterly (M), II, No. 1, 120 Quarterly (SPL), II, 70 Quiller-Couch, 802-803 Raine, 115 Ramsay (TTM), II, 142; IV, 46, 343 Randolph, I, 126-139 Randolph (Ozarks), 183 Rayburn, 232-233 Reeves (EC), 46-48 Rimbault (MIPR), No. 53 Ritchie (PS), 79 Ritchie (SPC), 184 Roberts (IP), 52-57 Roberts (SBS), 95-96 Sandburg (AS), 57 Scarborough (NPS), 59 Scarborough (SC), 83-96, 386 Scott (BA), 7-8 Scott (SA), 57 Seeger (6), 79 Sharp, I, 183-195 MB Song Texts 1475 Sharp (EPS), I, 20 Sharp (PSPS), No. 22 Sharp (100), 20-21 Shearin (BBCM), 3 Shearin (SKFS), 8 Shoemaker (MMP), 127 Shoemaker (NPM), 122 Silverman, I, 210 Smith (AA), 35 Smith (BSUS), 12, 20 Smith (SCB), 129-141 Smith (TBSCS), No. 8 Stout, 8-10 Thomas (DD), 94-95 Thomas (SG),' 6-7 Thomson, III, 29 Treat, 22 Wells, 113-114 Western Folklore, VIII, 371 Wheeler (KMFS), 39-48 Wier (IS), 33 Wilder, 122-123 Williams (FSUT), 204-207 Wyman (LT), 1-5 Barbara Allen ( Version A) In yonder town where I was born. There lived a fair young maiden; She was the fairest of them all. And her name was Barbara Allen. All in the merry month of May, When green buds they were swellin’, Young Jimmy Grove on his death-bed lay Por love of Barbara Allen. He sent his servant thro' the town, He sent him to her dwellin’, Saying, I’ve a message for you, fair maid. If your name be Barbara Allen. Slowly, slowly she rose up, And slowly she drew near him; But all she said when she got there Was "Young man, I think you're dying.” Song Texts 1476 Oh, yes, I’m sick, I’m very sick, And death is near me dwellin'; But better I shall never be Till I have Barbara Allen. Slowly, slowly she got up, And slowly she went from him; She had not gone but a mile or two When she heard his death bell tolling. She looked east and she looked west, She saw his coffin coming; Lay down, lay down this young man, And let me gaze upon him. The more she looked the more she wept, And then she burst out crying: Take him to the graveyard now, For he died for Barbara Allen. 0 mother, mother, make my bed, And make it long and narrow; Sweet Jimmy died for me today, And I’ll die for him tomorrow. They buried him in one church-yard And Barbara in another; And from his grave there grew a rose, And from her grave a briar. They grew to the top of the old church-wall, Where they could grow no higher, And there they tied in a true love-knot; The rose clung to the briar. VERSION B MB Song Texts 1477 'Twas round about one October day, When the green leaves were a-failin’, That young Lord Grame of the West Country Pell in love with Barbara Allen. He sent his man down thro' the town. To the place where she was dwellin': 0 haste and come to my master's side. If you be Barbara Allen. 0 slowly, slowly rode she up To the place where he was lyin'; And when she saw him there, she said: Young man, I think you're dyin'. Said he, I'm sick, so very sick, And it's all for Barbara Allen; 0, better that we had never met, For now my life is ebbing. Remember you not in the tavern. When you the cups were fillin'— How you made the healths go round and round, And slighted Earbara Allen? He turned his face unto the wall, And death was with him dealin': Adieu, adieu! my dear friends all. Be kind to Barbara Allen. Then slowly, slowly rose she up. And slowly, slowly left him; And sighin', said, she could not stay, Since death of life had reft him. She had not gone a mile or two. When she heard the death-bell knellin'; And every tone the death-bell gave, Cried, Woe to Barbara Allen! MB 1478 .► • ~.r. .. - Song Text3 0 mother, mother, make my "bed, 0 make it soft and narrow; Since my love died for me today, I'll die for him tomorrow. *#*********•*+•#■■#•**•■***■*****■* ========================================================================================== No. 119 - The Bardy Train (Vol. 3, source page 394) ========================================================================================== Ho. 119 THE BARDY TRAIN American rural-type song in which the dogs of a person are the objects of praise. Origin and authorship un known, though the reference to New England in the text may indicate area of origin. For another version, see Chappel (FSRA), 176-178. The Bardy Train Come on, Uncle Joe. I know you want to go Out through the wild woods a-hunting. We've got dogs of our own Just as good as ever was known, And ‘there's none in New England can beat 'em. There's Fido, Dido, Councilo and Joe, Old Clean that never lags behind 'em; There's Miss Camellia Jane, Who's the leader of the train, Roxy and Toxy in the morning. *********************** MB Song Tests 1479 ========================================================================================== No. 120 - Barney and Katie (Vol. 3, source page 395) ========================================================================================== So. 120 BARNEY AND KATIE also known as Barney Mavoureen When Barney Blew Over the Hills This Irish song enjoyed a popular acceptance in mid- 19th century America, then drifted off along the folk atream. Versions have been recovered from oral sources in areas as widely separated as New England, Ohio and Utah. REFERENCES Creighton (MPS), 77 Flanders (BMNE), 222 Eddy, 309-310 * Hubbard, 114 Barney and Katie On a cold winter night, when the weather was snarly, And snow, like a sheet, covered house-top and sty, Barney went over the hills to his darling And rapped at the window where Katie did lie. "Oh, my Katie," said he, as he stood at the window, "The night is so cold and my coat is so thin— The wind is a-howling—you know how I love you! Oh, Katie, me darling, won't you let me in?" "Dear Barney," said she, with her lips near the window, "You should not have come. I'm already in bed. To call such an hour is a sin, you know, barney— It's whiskey, not love, that has gone to your head." "Oh, my Katie," said he, "my poor heart is a fountain; It weeps for the wrong it has brought to your door. Your name is more pure than the snow on yon mountain. But love and not whiskey now makes me implore. MB Song Texts 1480 "I will make my way home, tho' the hitter winds face me; 1*11 whistle them off, for to freeze is no sin. My love for you, Katie, will warmly embrace me.” "Oh, Barney," sighed she, "you'd better come in." ************************* ========================================================================================== No. 121 - Barney Kccoy (Vol. 3, source page 396) ========================================================================================== Ho. 121 BARNEY KcCOY also known as Barney McCoi Hora(h) Darling This is a professional creation of the sort sung during the latter part of the 19th century. According to Sullivan, III, 398, it was copyrighted in 1881. A complete version is in Wehman (617), p. 105. Por a differn Irish song known As Norah Darling , see: McCaskey, VIII, 40 or O'Conor, 149. REFERENCES Brown, II, 346; IV, 202 Davis (PSV), 124 Pord (TMA), 337-338 O'Conor, 134 Owens (TPS), 89 Pound (SPSN), III, 6 Quarterly (SPL), IV, 202 Randolph, IV, 291-292 Wolford, 75-76 Barney McCoy I'm going far away, Norah darlin', And, oh, leavin' such an angel far behind, It will break my heart in two. Which I fondly give to you, Por no other is so lovin', kind an* true. MB Song Texts 1481 Oh, come into my arms, Norah darlin', Bid your friends in dear old Ireland goodby; It's happy we will be In that dear land of the free, Living happy with your Barney McCoy, I would go with you, 3arney darlin', But the reason I told you oft before: It would break my mother’s heart If from her I had to part, And go roaming with you, Earney McCoy. I'm going far away, Norah darlin'. Just as sure as there's a God I adore; But remember what I say. That until the judgment day, You will never see your Barney any more. I would go with you, Barney aariin', If my mother and the rest of them were there; For I know we would be blest In that dear land of the tfest, Living happy with you, Barney McCoy. I'm going far away, Norah darlin', And the ship is now anchored at the bay; Before tomorrow you will hear From the ‘signal gun, my dear, So be ready—it will carry us away. *********************** ========================================================================================== No. 122 - The Barring of the Boor (Vol. 3, source page 397) ========================================================================================== No. 122 THE BARRING OF THE BOOR also known as Arise and Bar the Boor-0 Barrin' o' Oor Boor Get Up and Bar the Boor Joan and John Blount Johnie 31unt The Old Man and the Boor MB Song Texts 1482 This is an old Scottish song with a universal theme. The marital argument occurring in the text is the basis of a host of folk tales in Asia as well as in Europe. Edited versions of this song appear in numerous folios and song-books. The song was first published by David Herd, in 1776. A burlesque version is in Delehanty and Hengler's Song and Dance Book . 1874, p. 169. REFERENCES Barry (BBH), 318-321 Brown, II, 183; IV, 112 Bulletin (VPS), IX, 7 Child, V, 96-99 Coffin, 145-146 Combs (PSMEU), 147-148 Combs (PSUS), 128-129 Cox (PSS), 515-517 Creighton (TSNS), 92-93 Davis (TBV), 495-496 Planders , IV, 72 Gainer, 88-89 Gardner (BSSM), 371-372 Greenleaf, 41-42 Greig & Keith, 216-218 Houseman, 236-238 Kinsley, 630-631 Leach (BB), 657 Macfarren, 112-113 Moore (BPSS), 122-124 Morris, 320-321 Niles (BB), 307-309 Pinkerton (SSB), II, 150 Quiller-Couch, 847-848 Randolph, I, 186 The Barring of the Door It happened in the wintertime As the cold night winds began, 0! John Macklin's wife had puddings to make. And she boiled 'em in a pan, 0! The night-winds blew both hard and cold. And blew up thro’ the floor, Oh! John Macklin called out to his wife: "Get up and bar the door, 0!" MB Song Texts 1483 "My hand is in the pudding, John, As you can plainly see, OS And if that door gets barred tonight., It won't get barred by me, 0!" So they made a pact between them. With an oath to God they swore, 0! The very first to speak a word. That one would bar the door, 0! Two travelers came riding by •Round twelve o'clock at night, 0! And straight they rode to Macklin's house, Attracted by the light, 0! They entered in and said aloud, "Are you people rich or poor, 0! But neither man nor wife would speak, For the barring of the door, 0! The travelers ate the sausage meat. They sopped their bread in fat, 0! At every bite the old woman thought, "I hope they choke on that, 0!" Then one unto the other said, "Here! now you take my knife, 0! And while you shave that old man's chin, 1*11 just take his wife to bed, 0!" John Macklin leaped from off his bed. And an angry man was he, 0! "Sir, if you touch my wife,” he said, "You will first be killing me, 0!" His loving wife then left her bed. And she skipped across the floor, 0! "Well, John,” she cried, "you've spoken first! Now go and bar the door, 0!” ** ****■**•**♦•***•**■»•**•** MB Song Texts 1484 ========================================================================================== No. 123 - The Battle Cry Op Freedom (Vol. 3, source page 400) ========================================================================================== Wo. 123 THE BATTLE CRY OP FREEDOM also known as Rally ’Round the Flag, Boys This Civil War era song was written by George F. Root, a popular composer of that time. It is not a folk song per ae, but it became the source of many folk pieces. As a Union ’’rallying" song, the original text and tune were most effective amd its popularity with the general public, South as well as North, was im mensely gratifying to the composer. New words were almost immediately forth coming, and a ’•battle” version was added to the "rallying" text. Then came parodies and a popular Souther adaptation. All these additional texts were sung to the original air. The five versions below (A, B, C, D, E) should serve to show the song's hold on people's imagination. Version A is the original. Version B is the battle text, C is a parody sung by Union soldiers, D is the Southern adaptation, and E is a text sung by Confederate soldiers. James T. Field and William B. Bradbury borrowed one of the song's title lines, Rally Round the Flag , and used it for their own composition in the 1860s, which begins: Rally round the flag, boys, Give it to the breeze; That’s the banner we love, On the land and seas. For a complete text, see: Lawrence, 376 or Wier (SWWS), 226 . For a modern adaptation, see The People♦s Rally Cry in Greenway, 61. * REFERENCES Song Texts 1485 MB Beattie, 16 Chappie (HS), 17-18 Dolph, 232-234 Ford (TMA), 461 Glass (SS-2), 32-33 Grand Army, 6-7 Ives (SA), 294-296 Lawrence, 362-363 Lloyd, 122-123 Mackenzie ( SK), 86-87 Oberndorfer, 106 Silber (SOW), 17-19 Songs (13), 63 Weavers, 18-19 Wier (SWWS), 232-233 The Battle Cry of Freedom ( Version A) Yes, we’ll rally round the flag, boys, We’ll rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom! We will rally from the hillside, We’ll gather from the plain, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom! Chorus The Union forever, Hurrah! Boys, hurrah! Down with the traitor, up with the star, While we rally round the flag, boys. Rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom! We are springing to the call of Our brothers gone before. Shouting the battle cry of Freedom! Oh, we’ll fill the vacant ranks With a million free-men more, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom! We will welcome to our number The loyal, true and brave, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom! KB Song Texts 1486 And altho’ they may be poor, lffot a man shall be a slave. Shouting the battle cry of Freedom! Oh, we’re springing to the call From the East and from the West, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom! And we’ll hurl the rebel crew From the land we love the best, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom! VERSION B Battle text added to the original song after its popu larity was established. For other versions, see: Dolph 235 ; Grand Army, 7; Ives (SA), 296; Luther, 181; and Silber (SOW), 19. We are marching to the field, boys, We’re going to the fight, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! And we bear the glorious stars For the Union and the right, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! Chorus The Union forever, hurrah! boys, hurrah! Down with the traitor, up with the star, For we’re marching to the field, boys, Going to the fight. Shouting the battle cry of freedom! We will meet the rebel host, boys, With fearless heart and true. Shouting the battle cry of freedom! And we’ll show what Uncle Sam has For loyal men to do, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! MB Song Texts 1487 If we fall amid the fray, boys, We'll face them to the last, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! And our comrades brave shall hear us As they go rushing past. Shouting the battle cry of freedom! Yes, for Liberty and Union We're springing to the fight, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! And the vict'ry shall be ours. For we're rising in our might. Shouting the battle cry of freedom! VERSION C This parody, also known as Mary Had a Little Lamb , was sung lustily by Union soldiers. Other versions may be seen in Dolph, 236-237 and Ives (SA), 297• Mary had a little lamb, 'Twas always on the go, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! So she staked it on a grassy slope Along the Shenando', Shouting the battle cry of freedom! Chorus Hurrah for Mary! Hurrah for the Lamb! Hurrah for the soldiers, who didn't care a damn! Now we'll rally round the flag, boys. We'll rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! Frequently she turned it loose Upon the banks to play, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! Song Texts 1488 MB Soldiers eyed it from the shore In a kleptomanic way, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! It swam across the Shenando Our pickets saw it too, Shouting the tattle cry of freedom! Oh, speedily it simmered down Into a mutton stow* Shouting the battle cry of freedom! VERSION D This adaotation. Our Dixie forever. proves once again that boundaries and differences do not erect -a—® .here music and songs are concerned. This text was written by H. L. Schreiner and W. H. Barnes, and .t was tremendously popular in the South. For another version, see: Glass (SS-2), 34. Our flag is proudly floating On the land and on the main, Shout! Shout, the battle cry of freedom! Beneath it oft we've cono.uered And will conquer oft again, Shout! Shout, the battle cry of freedom! Chorus Our Dixie forever! she's never at a loss! Down with the eagle and up with the cross'. We’ll rally round the bonny flag, We f ll rally once again f Shout! Shout, the battle cry of freedom! MB Song Texts 1489 While our boys have responded, And to the field have gone, Shout! Shout, the battle cry of freedom! Our noble women also Have aided them at home. Shout! Shout, the battle cry of freedom! VERSION E This adaptation was sung by "the boys in gray." Author of the text is unknown, but the time is the same. We*re marching to the field, boys, We're going to the fight, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! And we bear the Heavenly cross, Por our cause is in the right, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! Chorus Our rights forever, hurrah! Boys, hurrah! Down with the tyrants! Raise the Southern star! And we'll rally round the flag, boys, We'll rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! We'll meet the Yankee hosts, boys. With fearless hearts and true, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! And we'll show the dastard minions What Southern pluck can do, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! ******************** MB Song Texts 1490 ========================================================================================== No. 124 - Battle Hymn 0? the Republic (Vol. 3, source page 406) ========================================================================================== Ho. 124 BATTLE HYMN 0? THE REPUBLIC also known as Glory Hallelujah! This song, with words "by Julia Ward Howe, has been popular in the United States since it was first pub lished in the Atlantic Monthly , Peb., 1862. Versions have appeared in several hundred song books and folios, including those printed especially for schools. The tune to which Mrs. Howe set her stirring words was already well known. Much false information exists concerning the song’s history. At one time it was claimed that the song was based upon Stephen Poster’s Ellen Bayne. It’s origin was ascribed to a composer of Negro Minstrel music T. Brigham Bishop. We now know that the tune was act ually composed by William Steffe, Charleston, S. C., in the 1850s. Steffe composed the air for his hymn, Say , Brothers , Will You Meet Us, or On Canaan 1 s Harpy Shore . We also know that Mrs. Howe was not aware of the hymn and that she got the melody from Union soldiers who were singing it to the words of John 3rown* s Body . With the possible exception of John Brown's Body (see in MB), neither Steffe’s hymn nor any other songs using the air came anywhere near reaching the height of popu larity attained by Battle Hymn of the Republic . For other songs set to the same air in this Master Book , see John Brown * s Baby (No. 893), Pink Pajamas (No. 1350), Said I To Myself , Said I (No. 1502), and Solidarity For ever (No. 1583). REFERENCES MB Song Texts 1491 Agay (2), 128-129 Chappie (HS), 312 Dolph, 242 Adler, 100 Downes (1940), 147 Downes (1943), 178 Elson, 28-29 Glass (SS-2), 4-5 Kennedy (AB), 199 Kennedy (TAB), 167 Kobbe, 160-161 Krythe, 132 Lawrence, 362 Lloyd, 126 Luther, 175 McCaskey, II, 117 Oberndorfer, 105 Silverman, II, 125 Songs (15), 64-65 Warner, 57 Whitman, 37 Wier (SWWS), 233 Battle Hymn of the Republic Tune: John Brown * s Body Mine eyes have seen the glory Of the coming of the Lord! He is trampling out the vintage Where the grapes of wrath are stored! He hath loosed the lightning Of his terrible swift sword! His truth is marching on! Chorus Glory, glory hallelujah! Glory, glory hallelujah! Glory, glory hallelujah! His truth is marching on! I have seen Him in the watch fires Of a hundred circling camps; They have builded him an altar In the evening dews and damps; I can read His righteous sentence By the dim and flaring lamps! His day is marching on! MB Song Texts 1492 In the "beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in Hi3 bosom That transfigures you and me; As he died to make men holy, Let us die to make men free. While God is marching on! *********************** WQ. 125 THE BATTLE OF SHILOH also known as The Battle at Pittsburgh The Battle on Shiloh Landing Hill The Battle of Shiloh's Mill Pittsburgh Landing Civil War song. The battle of Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862, took its name from Shiloh Church, a meeting house, a- bout three miles SSW of Pittsburgh Landing, Tennessee. Confederate forces, commanded by Generals Johnson and Beauregard, attacked Union forces commanded by General Grant, and suffered severe defeat. 3500 men were killed during two days of fighting. This song quickly follow ed news of the battle; it was published at 3oston by the Oliver Ditson Company. The words were written by M. B. Smith, who set them to the tune of The Wandering Sailor. gE FERSNCSS Allan (LSB), 44-45 Brown, II, 535-536 Brown (BMC), 10 Hudson (FSM), 260-261 Lomax (FSNA), 349-350 Randolph, II, 272-273 Sharp, II, 172-173 Silverman, II, 300 Staton, 95 The Battle of Shiloh MB Song Texts 1493 All you Southerners now draw near. Unto my story approach and hear. For loyal Southerners hearts to cheer With the victory gained at Shiloh. Now it was April, the sixteenth day. We had come a long and muddy way; We landed there at Corinth Bay, Right along the way to Shiloh. That night we lay on the cold, cold ground; No tents or shelters could be found. It rained so hard we nearly drowned, All along the way to Shiloh. At last old Shiloh hove in view, And broke the bravest hearts in two; We saw the mighty Yankee crew All along the way to Shiloh. We charged the yanks in groups and pairs, And hit their batteries every wheres; Our General Beauregard rang the air With Southern steel at Shiloh. Their guns and knapsacks they threw down. And ran like hares before a hound; We made the Yankees turn around From the Southern charge at Shiloh. Oh, many a pretty maid will yearn For lovers who will no more return; This cruel war such love does spurn— Their bodies lie at Shiloh. ******•*•**-***■»•*■*•**•** MB Song Texts 1494 ========================================================================================== No. 126 - The Battle Op the Kegs (Vol. 3, source page 410) ========================================================================================== Ho. 126 THE BATTLE OP THE KEGS A poetic satire by Prancis Hopkinson; it is based upon an incident that occurred during the American Revolution. One David Bushnell built a turtle-like vessel capable of carrying one man under water. The vessel contained valves for taking on water, to force submergence, a bomb loaded with approximately 150 lbs of powder, and sufficient air to allow proper breathing for at least thirty minutes. The idea was to send the vessel under water, to attach the bomb (with time-fuse device) to the bottom of a British ship and blow it up. Bushnell*s vessel was tried-out in New York harbor, but failed to meet the test. With George Washington’s consent, Bushnell tried another approach in January 1778. He and his assistants loaded a number of kegs with powder, designed to explode on contact, and set them afloat in the Delaware River, near Philadelphia, with the expectation of sinking British vessels at anchor there. Only one ship was de stroyed, but the consternation caused by the exploding kegs as they hit ice cakes in the river was immense. When these kegs began exploding. Lord William Howe (the Sir William referred to in the song) ”lay snoring” in bed with a married woman. These events so impressed Prancis Hopkinson (a signer of the Delcaration of Independence) that he wrote the poem, setting it to a variation of the time of Yankee Doodle. REFERENCES Brand (S-76), 94 Dolph, 469-472 Ives (SA), 268-269 Kennedy (TAB), 8-11 Lawrence, 77 Loesser, 66-67 Luther, 29* 32 Rabson, 58-59 MB Song Texts 1495 Scott (BA), 77-80 Silver (SI), 93-95 Songster (8), 205 Vinson, 46-47 The Battle of the Kegs Gallants attend, and hear a friend Trill forth harmonious ditty; Strange things I'll tell which late befell In Philadelphia city. 'Twas early day, as the poets say, • Just when the sun was rising, A soldier stood on a log of wood, And saw a thing surprising. As in a maze he stood to gaze^- The truth can't be denied, sir— He spied a score of kegs or more Come floating down the tide, sir. A sailor, too, in jerkin blue. This strange appearance viewing, Pirst damned his eyes, in great surprise. Then said, "Some mischief's brewing! "The kegs now hold the rebels bold, Packed up like pickled herring; And they've come down to attack the town In this new way of ferrying." The soldier flew, the sailor too, And, scar'd almost to death, sir, Wore out their shoes to spread the news. And ran till out of breath, sir. Now up and down, throughout the town. Most frantic scenes were acted; Song Texts 1496 And some ran here and some ran there, Like men almost distracted. Sir William, he, snug as a flea, Lay all this time a-snoring, Nor dreamed of harm as he lay warm In hed with Mrs. Loring. Now in a fright, he starts upright, Awak'd by such a clatter; He rubs both eyes, and boldly cried, "For God's sake! what's the matter?” At his bedside he then espied Sir Erskine at command, sir, Upon one foot he had one boot, And the other in his hand, sir. "Arise, arise," Sir Erskine cries, "The rebels—more's the pity! Without a boat are all afloat And ranged before the city. "The motley crew, in vessels new, With Satan for their guide, sir, pack'd up in bags, or wooden kegs, Come driving down the tide, sir. The royal band, now ready stand All ranged in dread array, sir. With stomach stout to see it out, And make a bloody day, sir. The cannons roar from shore to shore, The small arms make a rattle; Since war began I’m sure no man E'er saw so strange a battle. MB Song Text3 1497 The fish below swam to ana fro. Attack'd from ev'ry quarter; "Why sure,” thought they, "the devil's to pay f Mongst folks above the water. The keg, 'tis said, tho' strongly made Of rebel stave and hoop, sir, Could not oppose their powerful foes. The conq'ring British troops, sir. Prom morn to night these men of might Displayed amazing courage; And when the sun was fairly down Retired to sup their porridge. An hundred men with each a pen, Or more, upon my word, sir. It is most true would be too few Their valour to record, sir. Such feats did they perform that day, Against those wicked kegs, sir, That years to come, if they get home. They'll make their boasts and brags, sir. **************************** ========================================================================================== No. 127 - The Bay Op Mexico (Vol. 3, source page 413) ========================================================================================== No. 127 THE BAY OP MEXICO also known as Round the Bay of Mexico 'Way, 0, Julianna! According to James F. Leisy, this is a Bahamian shanty. Perhaps it is. But if it is, it's more a case of "borrowing" than of creating. All the versions that I have seen, including Leisy’s, were composites, made- MB Song Texts 1498 up of lines taken from older shanties and minstrel- 8how songs. For examples, see: Blow the Man Down (stanza 3) in Colc'ord, 54; Santiana (stanza 9) in Eugill (2), 128; Sacramento (stanza 9) in Eugill (2), 157; and Away , Rio? (stanza 3) in this Master Book. REFERENCES Silber (HSB), 34 Silverman, II, 269 Weavers, 128-129 Leisy, 285-286 leisy (SPS), 20 Lomax (OSC), 88-89 Lomax (PB), 29 The Bay of Mexico Around the Bay of Mexico, •Way, 0, Julianna! Mexico is the place I'm bound to go. Round the Bay of Mexico. The Mexi-gals don't use no combs, etc . They comb their hair with tuna-fish bones, etc. When I was young and in my prime, etc. I made lo've to three girls at one time, etc . Them Mobile gals are long and tall, etc . Wish I'd never left home at all, etc . I met my wife in New Orleans, etc. She feeds me on fat-back and beans, etc. I'll sit down in my rockin' chair, •Way, 0, Julianna! I'll rock myself and stay right there. Round the Bay of Mexico. ********* ******-****** MB Song Texts 1499 ========================================================================================== No. 128 - Beans, Bacon and Gravy (Vol. 3, source page 415) ========================================================================================== No. 128 BEANS, BACON AND GRAVY One of the many songs inspired by the Great Depression of 1932. The version below, text and music, is from Greenway, 64. Beans . Bacon and Gravy I was born long ago, in eighteen ninety-four. And I’ve seen many a panic, I will own; I*ve been hungry, I’ve been cold, And now I’m growing old, But the worst I’ve ever seen is nineteen thirty-two. Chorus Oh, those beans, bacon and cravy! They almost drive me crazy. I eat them till I see them in my dreams, In my dreams! When I wake up in the morning, And another day is dawning, Yes, I know I’ll have another mess of beans! If there ever comes a time When I have more than a dime, They will have to put me under lock and key; Por they’ve had me broke so long I can only sing this song, Of the workers and their misery! *************■**.****.**** MB Song Texts 1500 ========================================================================================== No. 129 - A Bear Went Over the Mountain (Vol. 3, source page 416) ========================================================================================== No. 129 A BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN also known as A Bear Came Over the Mountain This is an old, old nursery rhyme-song. Children have Been delighted by the song for generations. The tune is older than the text and is used for several well- known traditional pieces. For examples, see: Drinking Song VII & VIII ; For He * s a Jolly Good Fellow ; and Pig in the Parlor (all in this Master Book). For additional information about this air, see head- notes to Duke of Marlborough in this Master Book . REFERENCES Ryan, 41 Shay (DFW), 70 Winn (2), 72 Yolen, 110-111 Armitage, I, 28 Bertail, 16 Emrich (CBF), 23 Linscott, 164 A Bear Went Over the Mountain A bear went over the mountain, A bear went over the mountain, A bear went over the mountain, To see what he could saw! To see what he could saw! To see what he could saw! A bear went over the mountain, To see what he could saw! The other side of the mountain, (3) Was all he got to saw! Was all he got to saw! Was all he got to saw! The other side of the mountain Was all he got to saw! ****** ************** MB Song Texts 1501 ========================================================================================== No. 130 - Beautiful Light O'eh the Sea (Vol. 3, source page 417) ========================================================================================== So. 130 BEAUTIFUL LIGHT O'EH THE SEA - This is one of those composite-type songs that show up.regularly in the folk field, and with no one able to say how, when or where it originated. Belden (BS), 494, has a text somewhat different from the one given below and suggests that it might be re lated to The Prisoner* s Song . Randolph, III, 140, has a variation under the title, I_ 7/as Drunk Last Eight . The tune is a re-working of Goodbye , My Darling , Good bye and is almost identical to that of The Train Is At the Station. Beautiful Light 0'er the Sea I went out last night a-drinking. I went out the night before; But if or when I get sober, I'll never get drunk any more. Chorus Beautiful light o'er the sea, o'er the sea, Oh, beautiful light o'er the sea! Oh, beautiful light o'er the sea, o'er the sea. There's someone there waiting for me. If I had the wings of an eagle, I'd sail through the heavens above; I'd fly from here to the mountains. And fly to the one that I love. Oh, I'm tired of being so lonesome. And I'm tired of being alone; If ever I find my sweet darling, I'll take her and make her go home. MB 1502 Song Texts I will tell her how much I mi3s her, For she is the one I adore; And if she would only forgive me, I’d never get drunk any more. ========================================================================================== No. 131 - A Beauty Bright (Vol. 3, source page 418) ========================================================================================== No. 131 A BEAUTY BRIGHT also known as A Beauty, Beauty Bride Charming Beauty Bride, or Bright A Fair Beauty Bride Fair Lady Bright The Fair Young Miss The First Girl I Courted I Courted a Lady I Courted for Love Irish Molly-0 The Lover’s Lament Now Once I Did Court Once I Courted a Charming Beauty Bright Once I Courted a Damsel Once I Courted a Fair Beauty Bride Seven Year Song A Soldier’s Sweetheart The Widow’s Daughter An English "pop" song that arrived in America sometime during the latter part of the 19th century. Judging from the number of collectors who have recovered tra ditional versions of the song, it is far more popular here than in the land of its origin. REFERENCES Arnold, 16 Belden (BS), 164-165 Brewster (BSI), 196-197 Brown, II, 293-296; IV, 162-166 Campbell & Sharp, No. 57 Chappell (FSRA), 130-131 Cox (FSS), 342, 529 Davis (FSV), 63-64 Eddy, 113-114 Fuson, 136 Jour (AFL), XXV, 2; XXVI, 176; XXVIII, 147; XXIX 184; XXX, 334; XXXV, 389; LX, 216 Jour (EFDS), II, 81 MB Song Texts 1503 Jour (FSS), II* 81 Lomax (FSNA), 195 Moore (BFSS), 197-198 Morris, 343-34-4 Pub (TFLS), X, 158 Quarterly (SPL), III* 203-204; VIII, 164- 165 Randolph, I, 346-349 Scarborough (SC), 311* 439 Sharp, II, 103-108 Sharp (AEFS), 48-52 Sturgi3 (SHV), 22 Tolman, 184 Treat, LII, 33 Wyman (TKMS), 76 A Beauty Bright Once I courted a fair beauty bright, I courted her by day and I courted her by night; I courted her for love, and her love I did obtain. And so I have no reason at all to complain. When her parents chanced to learn That their daughter for me did yearn, They locked her in her room, like corpse within a tomb, And told me that our love affair was doomed. To her room I then did go, To say my love was true, and I wanted her to know. She would not come outside, but answered me and cried, And said that she would wait to be my bride. Seven long years I sailed the sea, And then I went to take my love with me. Her grieving mother said that her daughter now was dead— For me to find 3 cme other girl to wed. *********** **■*■*■»***•** *** MB Song Texts 1504 ========================================================================================== No. 132 - Been a Listening All Night Long (Vol. 3, source page 420) ========================================================================================== No. 132 BEEN A LISTENING ALL NIGHT LONG also known as I’ve Been Listening All Night Long This is a spiritual from the first half of the 19th century, and it is one of many popularized by the original Pisk Jubilee Singers. For a later variation, see: Jesus Is Listenin ’ in Odum (NHS), 82. REFERENCES Dett, 170 Marsh (SJS), 144 Been A Listening All Night Long Some say that John the Baptist Was just a wanderin’ Jew, But the Holy Bible tells us, He baptized Jesus too. Chorus Been a listening all night long, Been a listening all night long, Been a listening all night long. To hear some sinner pray. Go read the third of Matthew, And read the chapter through, For it’s a guide for Christians, And tells them what to do. Owens (TFS), 171 Pike, 226 ********************** MB Song Texts 1505 ========================================================================================== No. 133 - Before the Boors of Kea7en Close (Vol. 3, source page 421) ========================================================================================== No, 133 BEFORE THE BOORS OF KEA7EN CLOSE also known as Go, Chain the Lion Down Pre-Civil War "slave” spiritual that was introduced to the general public by the original Fisk Jubilee Singers Yersion sung by them may be seen in: Marsh (SJS), 174 and Pike, 214, or 256. Before the Boors of Heaven Close Do you see that grand old sister Who’s a-walkin* up the hill so slow? She wants to get to heaven in due time, Before the doors of heaven close. Chorus Go, chain the lion down! (3) Before the doors of heaven close. Do you see that good old brother Who’s a-walkin* up the hill so slow? He wants to get tc heaven in due time, Before the doors of heaven close. Do you see the good old Christians Come a-waggin' up the hill so slow? They wants to get to heaven in due time. Before the doors of heaven close. Do you see the good old preachers Come a-trippin' up the hill so slow? They wants to get to heaven in due time, Before the doors of heaven close. ***************** MB Song Texts 1506 ========================================================================================== No. 154 - Bell Bottom Trousers (Vol. 3, source page 422) ========================================================================================== No. 154 BELL BOTTOM TROUSERS also known ass The Boy Child Drury Lane He Called for a Candle Home, Boys, Home Jack the Sailor Boy Sever Trust a Sailor Rosemary Lane The Sailor Boy Servant of Rosemary Lane When First I 7/ent to Service This song from England is immensely popular in American tradition. The text has proven too salty for genteel collections of folk material, hut omitting it from pub lication on grounds of vulgarity does not detract from its validity as a genuine folk song. The tune has been frequently borrowed by professional songwriters. With dressed down words, the song became a "pop” hit in the 1940s due to a recording of it by Doris Lay. For a variation, see The Boy Child in Chappell (FSRS), 60. Also compare Home , Dearie, Home B in this Master Book. REFERENCES Best, 126 Buchanan & Hall, 85 Cray, 32-33, 160-162 Durlacher, 272 Gardner (BSSM), 403 Hugill (1), 498 Jour (AFL), XLV, 41 Jour (EFLSS), VI, 18 Jour (FSS), VI, 1-3 Karpeles (EFS), I, 671 679 Laws K, 43, 162 Leisy (SPS), 186 MacColl & Seeger, 166 Reeves, 181-183 Reeves (EC), 223 Sedley, 14-15 Shay (ASSC), 146 M3 Song Texts 1507 Bell Bottom Trousers At the age of seventeen I lived in Meadow Lane; My parents they were good to me, and never did complain. Along came a sailor as handsome as could he, And he was the cause of all my misery. Chorus With his hell bottom trousers and coat of navy blue, He climbed the riggin' like his daddy used to do. He asked me for a candle, to light his way to bed; He asked me for a pillow on which to rest his head. Being young and foolish, and thinking it no harm, I got into the feather-bed, to keep the sailor warm. His hands were warm and friendly, and busy as could be. Until I felt a thumping deep inside of me. ' Twas a nice sensation, and tho' I thought it wrong, When he said he loved me I up and went along. Next morning bright and early, when he got out of bed, He buttoned up his trousers, smiled at me, and said: "It really was a pleasure, I had a lot of fun, And tho' I hate to say it, I’ve got to love and run. "You may have a daughter, or you may have a son. So take this twenty dollars for any damage done. If you have a daughter, just bounce her on your knee; And should you chance to have a son, send him off to seal" Now listen all you maidens, and take a tip from me: Don't ever trust a sailor an inch above your knee. Once he’s had his pleasure, he'll button up and run, And he won't give a tinker's dam for the damage he has done! MB Song Texts 1508 ========================================================================================== No. 135 - Belie Layotte (Vol. 3, source page 424) ========================================================================================== No. 135 BELIE LAYOTTE also known as Ma Mourri This is a Creole song that exists in several varying versions. Only two versions (A & B) are given below Version A was sung by slaves. Version B was sung by Louisiana Creoles. REFERENCES Allen (SSUS), 109, 166 /Krehbiel, 166-167 Belle Layotte ( Version A) Mo deja roule tout La Cote, Pancor ouar pareil belle Layotte. Mo roule tout La Cote, Mo roule tout La Colonie, Mo pancor ouar griffone La qua mo gout comme La belle Layotte. Jean Babet, mon ami, Si vous couri par en haut Vous mande belle Layotte Cadeau La Li te promi mouin. Domestique la maison Ye tout fache avec mouin Paraporte chanson la Mo compose pou La belle Layotte. MB Song Texts 1509 ( version B) Well I know, young men, I must die. Tes, crazy, I must die. Well I know, young men, I must, crazy, die. Tes, crazy, I must die. Ehhh! for the fair Layotte I must, crazy, die; Tes, crazy, I must die. Well I know, young men, I must die! Tes, crazy, I must die. Well I know, young men, I must, crazy, die; I must die for the fair layotte! ************************ ****** * ========================================================================================== No. 136 - Belie St Abb (Vol. 3, source page 425) ========================================================================================== No. 136 BELIE ST ABB also known as Queen of the Desperadoes Here we have one of those historical songs with some facts and some fiction, hut one of the kind that many Americans were so fond of. Born near Carthage, Mis souri, Feb. 5, 1848, Belle Shirley Starr grew up to be a crude, vulgar, and somewhat ugly woman who spent her life in the company of various outlaws, including Cole Younger. She reached the peak of her fame when she moved into Indian Territory (then Oklahoma) and took-up with Sam Starr, a half-blood Cherokee, who was a cattle thief. At one point, the U. S. Government was willing to pay $10,000 for their capture, dead or alive. Both of them were finally sent to the peni tentiary for stealing a horse from a cripple boy. Upon their releases, they returned to their old home MB Song Texts 1510 and their old ways. Then Sam, out on bail after having been charged with robbing a post office, was shot to death in a gun fight. Belle promptly moved in with another outlaw, but her days were numoered. Riding home on Feb. 3, 1889, she was bushwacked and died in the mud. The person who shot and killed her remained unknown. On the day of her death. Belle was two days shy of her 42nd birthday. For two other versions of this song, see Fife, 269- 270 . Belle Starr She was a fast-gun woman, And Belle Shirley was her name; Down in the state of Texas Is where she won her fame. Jim Heed was her first lover; She eloped with him one night. Her Pa he took after them, A-spoilin’ for a fight. The lovers lived together, Till Jim Reed got in a fight. All slyot to death by Morris, Jim cashed his chips that night. Belle’s lover from her taken, She rode a dangerous trail; She lived a life of wanderin’ That sure was bound to fail. I was a poor young cowpoke, And money came to slow; I joined Belle’s wild riders In old Hew Mexico. MB Song Texts 1511 A mister Starr she married And moved on to Younger’s Bend, 'Twas there they lived together Till Belle did meet her end. We raided in Panhandle, And we hid out in the Strip; If we ran out of money, We*d take another trip. Then Belle was sorely injured, And Watson, he was the cause; But he was just as guilty Of breakin’ Texas laws. Bow come, cowhand and herder. Prospector, gambler and bum; Avoid gun-totin' ladies, And don't drink rot-gut rum. Yes, Belle was sure a tough one; She led her men to the grave. But while they were still living, Each one was just her slave. ********•*♦****■»■•*•*■*. ***** * ========================================================================================== No. 137 - Benjy Havens, Oh! (Vol. 3, source page 427) ========================================================================================== No. 137 BENJY HAVENS, OH! also known as Benny Havens, Oh! This is a traditional military song that dates back to the War of 1812. Benjamin Havens, upon whom this song bestowed immortality, served as a first lieutenant of the Highland Palls, company during the 1812 war. Then, MB Song Texts 1512 afterwards, for several years, he lived in a cottage a short distance from the old cadet hospital. Havens started out selling only ale, cider, and buckwheat cakes. Then he began to sell whiskey. As a result, in 1832, he was expelled from the military reservation. Undaunted, he opened a tavern on the river's edge just below the cliffs of Highland Palls, approximately a mile and a half from the cadet barracks. It was a smart move. To his tavern, after taps and against regulations, came the cadets, many of whose names would later be in scribed on their country's roll of honor. Original words of this song were written by Lieutenant O'Brien of the 8th Infantry, who sang it to the Irish tune, Wearing of the Green. The song was popular with the troops, and stanza upon stanza was added by many anonymous troopers. The process of adding lines and stanzas continued throughout the Civil War, at which time the song was widely sung by the general pupulation. Cadets at West Point still sing of "Benny Havens", and some probably contribute stanzas of their own. REFERENCES Randolph, II, 295 Shay (DFW), 114-115 Trident, 156-157 Carmer (SRA), 26-27 Dolph, 563-566 Lomax (ABPS), 540 Luther, 102-103 Tune: Wearing of the Green Benjy Havens, Oh! Prom Nevada's hoary ridges, Prom stormy coasts of Maine Prom lava beds and Yellowstone, The story never waned— Wherever duty called, they went, Their steps were never slow; MB Song Texts 1513 With "Alma Mater” on their lips And "Benjy Eavens, Oh!" Chorus Oh! Benjy Eavens, Oh! Oh! Benjy Eavens, Oh! We»ll sing cur reminiscences of Eenjy Eavens, Oh! When life's troubled sea is o’er, And our last battle's through. If God permits us mortals there His blest domain to view, Then we shall see in glory crown'd, In proud celestial row, The friends we've known and loved so well At Ben jy Havens, Oh!