I just resurrected this thread when it turned up on a search for the title, but the lyrics posted here are not what I was looking for.

Yesterday Aunt Martha and I went out "Antiquing" around local flea markets and junque shops in search of an air compressor and an "Indian Pump", neither of which we found. well, this one antique joint had a beaut of a brass Indian Pump out on the porch, but the old man wanted it to go with his pet antique fire engine and wasn't parting with it. All I got was an old tattered guitar instructionh manual with the cover missing, which by the looks of it I'd guess was published sometime in the 1920's or '30's. And I paid a whole buck for it to boot. But the most interesting part was when I discovered a small piece of paper in between the pages upon which was handwritten in pencil a poem or set of lyrics, entitled "By The Grave Of Nobody's Darling", which were sadly evocative.
Unfortunately, no name, date, or other information was included.

I can't help but wonder if this is a transcription of a popular song which the writer was trying to learn to play, or an original composition by an unknown Author who was using the guitar book to try and work out a melody for it.
It a mystery!

So here it is; please let me know if anyone has ever heard of it and knows anything about it. it seems to fit into the "Old Country" or "Bluegrass" genre about as well as any, I reckon.

"BY THE GRAVE OF NOBODY'S DARLING"

(Found in an old - estimated circa 1920's - guitar manual handwritten in pencil on an 8 1/2" X 5 1/2" piece of newsprint paper.
No date, name, or indication of tune to accompany these lyrics.)

Tonight as I kneel by my darling
I know that she's sleeping so sound;
I watched the bright stars up in Heaven
As they shine on a newly made mound.
Beneath the cold clay she lies sleeping;
She has left this old world behind;
Tonight I know that she's in heaven;
She was nobody's darling but mine.

(Chorus):
She said that she'd be nobody's darling
and her voice was sweet and so kind;
As I sat by her side and she told me;
She'd be nobody's darling but mine.

Each night while the bright moon is shining;
While the flowers are covered with dew
I shall kneel by her grave of you darling (sic)
for I know that you love me so true.

(Cho.)

Discovered and transcribed by John C. Clarke, Yarmouth Maine
June 29, 2002.

Cover missing from book; Advertisement in back for "Wm. J. Smith Music Co." No date, name, or indication of tune to accompany these lyrics.)