It starts out like this:
Come all you young men, 'tis a melancholy song
The hour of death flying swiftly along
Was about a young youth that was all in full bloom
He was called forth by death, now he sleeps in his tomb.
And here's the Ballad Index entry:
William Cook
DESCRIPTION: "Hark, hark, my young friends, it's a melancholy call, The hour of death flying swiftly along." The dying young man (William Cook) reveals that he will miss his family, and describes how he will be buried. He asks to be remembered despite his misdeeds
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1929 (Randolph)
KEYWORDS: death burial funeral family
FOUND IN: US(So)
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Randolph 608, "William Cook" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #3128
File: R608Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index InstructionsThe Ballad Index Copyright 2005 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.