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MAY I SLEEP IN YOUR BARN TONIGHT, MISTER? One night it was dark and t'was raining When along came a tramp in the rain He was making his way to the station To catch a long distance train. May I sleep in your barn tonight, Mister? It is cold lying out on the ground And the cold North wind, it is blowing And I have no place to lie down. Now, I have no tobacco nor matches And I'm sure I will do you no harm I will tell you my story, kind mister For it runs through my heart like a thorn. It was three years ago last Summer I shall never forget that sad day When a stranger came out from the city And said that he wanted to stay. Now, the stranger was fair, tall and pleasant And he looked like a man who had wealth In his eyes there, a sad look was present Said he wanted to stay for his health. Now, my wife thought his board and his lodging Could afford to keep us a home So we took in that tall, handsome stranger Who later did break up our home. One day, as I came from my workshop I was whistling and singing with joy I expected a kind-hearted welcome From my sweet, loving wife and my boy. But what did I find but a letter It was placed in a room on a stand And the moment my eyes fell upon it I picked it right up in my hand. And, this note said my wife and the stranger They had left and had taken my son Oh, I wonder if God up in heaven Only knows what this stranger has done? Except for verses 5 and 6 (added from another source), this text is the one found in Brumley's "Lamplitin' Songs & Ballads" (1977). Tune is from Brumley. @tearjerker @hardtimes @poverty filename[ SLEPBARN Tune File: slepbarn.nwc (Joe) Feb07 |
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