Here's the version McNeil collected. The lyrics are quite different, but the tune looks like it would fit the version in the Digital Tradition.
-Joe Offer-

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LITTLE MARIAN PARKER

Away out in California
Lived a family bright and gay.
There were planning for their Christmas
Not very far away.

When along came a murderous stealer
With a heart as hard as stone,
Took little Marian Parker
Away from friends and home.

He took her to the movies,
He gave her candy too.
He told her every promise
That he would be kind and true.

I only want the money
That your daddy can give.
And if he'll give the money
His little child can live.

But late in the evening
She found that he had lied,
For before the evening sunset
The little child had died,

O there is a great commandment
Thou shalt not kill,
And those who do not heed it
Must suffer unto God's will.

This song should be a warning
To parents far and near.
You can't guide too closely
The ones you love so dear.




COLLECTED JUNE 25, 1979, BY W.K. MCNEIL FROM REBECCA SIMMONS, SHIRLEY. ARKANSAS. TRANSCRIPTION BY W.K. MCNEIL.

source: Southern Folk Ballads, Volume 2 (W.K. McNeil, 1988)

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