From Margaret MacArthur, "The Old Songs" (a 2006 Rounder Records re-release of Margaret's third album CDPHIL1001). PDF notes here.

11.My Dearest Dear 4:55
(traditional)
Dulcimer (D-G-D tuning)

This song comes from Cecil Sharp's Eighty English Folksongs from the Southern Appalachians, with two additional verses (3 and 4) from Vance Randolph's Ozark Folksongs. In Mrs. Flander's files I have found a New England version dating from the late 18th century. [NOTE: she says this is not the Flanders version!]

My dearest dear the time has come when I and you must part
And no one knows the inner grief of my poor aching heart
Or what I suffer for your sake, for the one I love so dear
I wish that I could go with you or you could tarry here

I wish my breast was made of glass for in it you might behold
Your name in secret I would write in letters of bright gold
In letters of bright gold true love, pray believe me when I say
You are the one that I love best until my dying day

The crow that's black, my dearest dear, shall turn its color white
If ever I prove false to thee the brightest days turn night
The brightest days turn night true love, the elements shall mourn
If ever I prove false to thee the raging seas shall burn

Your company, my dearest dear, your company to me
It makes me think when you're away that every day is three
That every day is three, true love, and every hour is ten
It makes me weep when I should sleep and say I've lost a friend

So when you're on some distant shore think on your absent friend
And when the wind blows high and clear a line or two pray send
And when the wind blows high and clear pray send it love to me
That I may know by your hand write how time has gone with thee

~ Becky in Tucson