Stewie-

Thanks. You are, in my opinion, one of the best researchers at Mudcat. You really put some great lyrics on here. I have used Uncle Dave's lyrics as a basis for one of my songs entitled, "Go Long Mule." You can change a fool but a doggone mule is a mule until he dies. Did you ever know anyone that reminds you of a mule? As for spelling-fh wii ;

Back to the Kazee-don't you think this line would be best sung (edited)?

Her papa said that we might marry, Her mama said it would not do. Some dark night we'll take a ramble, I will run away with you.

Aslo I finally looked through my Child ballads and and there is a slight connection of "East Virginia" (the "O Molly dear"- "Drowsy Sleeper" ) with Child 214 'The Braes O' Yarrow' or the 'Dowie Den's O Yarrow'. This is one of my favorite tragedies: Niles has several versions from Appalachia and Peggy Seeger has collected one. The meter 3/4 time is the same as is the melodic structure, with similar phrases and lyrics. Here's an example of one line from my notebooks:

O mother dear, go make my bed, Go make it neat and narrow. For my love died for me tonight, I will die for him tommorrow.

It seems possible that the "O mother dear" line could be entertwined with our tragic ballad, "O Molly dear".

Any thoughts, anyone?