Hi,

TY Steve, you've been a big help. Brian here are the six versions from the Hicks/Harmon/Presnell family all with the flower/herb refrains:

I. The herd/flower refrains, "Jury flower gent the roseberry," ("Gilliflower gentle rosemary") with resuscitation stanzas; archaic American, dated c.1779 through Big Sammy Hicks of Virginia then North Carolina. From relatives of Hicks, Harmon, Presnell families of North Carolina, Tennessee.
    a. "The Two Sisters." Sung by Mrs. Jane Gentry at Hot Springs, N. C. on September, 11, 1916; from Sharp's EFFSA, version A.
    b. "The Two Sisters." Recorded by Mrs. Henry from the singing of Mrs. Samuel Harmon, Cade's Cove, Blount County, Tennessee, August 13, 1930. From Mellinger Henry's 1938 book, Folk-Songs from the Southern Highlands, version C.
    c. "The Two Sisters," from Abrams, Variant 1, sung by Mrs. Nora Hicks, as copied down by Addie Hicks and given to Abrams by Edith Walker in 1939. From the Abrams Collection, part of Documenting Appalachia digital initiative at Appalachian State University.
    d. "The Two Sisters That Loved One Man," sung Lee Monroe Presnell from Beech Mountain NC, (Buna Hicks uncle), recorded by Frank Warner in 1951 without resuscitation stanzas.
    e. "The Two Sisters," sung by Maud Long (Jane Gentry's daughter). From the recording, "North Carolina Ballads" by Artus Moser, Folkways recording FA 2112, 1955.
    f. "Two Sisters." Sung by Hattie Presnell; a composite of versions from 1966 through 1971. From Some Ballad Folks, Burton, 1978. His notes follow. Hattie Presnell learned this from her Uncle Monroe.

Kevin. As far as Maud Long's version, I meant the opening lines were fuller but after looking at it carefully Maud sings a different version of Twa Sisters with her mother's refrain. I'll ck Smith (her book on Jane Gentry) and see if there's anything there.

Hattie Presnell's version is different also and similar to Uncle Monroe Presnell's version which is confused at the end. Both seem to be more Scottish.

Only Jane Gentry, Nora Hicks and Mrs. Sam Harmon have versions with the resuscitation ending but all have the similar refrains. It's clear that my headnotes need to reflect that these versions are not the same- they just have the same refrains,

Richie