Hi,

Need some help transcribing one of the African-American versions, esp. sixth stanza and last stanza. The last harkens back to the Scottish text in Child (version B), [refer: Kittredge 1917 JOAFL]

She was seven year gaun, and seven year comin,
And she cried for the sowens she left in the pot.


THE FARMER'S WIFE- Sung by Joe Hubbard. Hamiltontown, near Wise, Va; Herbert Halpert, 1939.
(Listen: The Farmer's Wife)

I hooked up a hog and I went out to plough,
And how I got along I don't know how.

I seen Mr. Devil come slippin' through the field, says,
"One of your family I wish to steal."

"It's neither your daughter it's neither your son,
It's the old woman for the crimes she's done."

He picked up her up all on his back,
He looked like a pedlar with the pack on his back.

He took on to the forks in the road and he said,
"Old Woman, you're a terrible load."

He picked her up to feed it, and took on to the Devil's den,
And out run devils, nine or ten,

One little devil come climbing up the wall says,
"Take her back daddy she's a-gonna kill us all."

Seven years forward and seven years back,
He looked for the baccy she'd left in the cracks.

[Spoken: He musta had a terrible time wid her. . .]


Richie