As best as I can make out, here are the lyrics to the Voices From the Dust Bowl version. Basically similar to the text printed by Randolph, though with variations and some different verses.


"William Cook"

Come all young men 'tis a melancholy song
As the arrows of life were a-flowing along
Was about a young youth who was all in full bloom
He was called forth by death now he sleeps in his tomb

While he were here he was blooming and gay
But now called for by death now he's gone far away
I am going away to leave you for I cannot stay here long
I am hasting away to my eternal home

Down at yonder tavern I danced with you all
Down at yonder tavern I drank with you all
But little did I think I'd be called for so soon
My last morning sun had gone down just 'fore noon (?)

These four young men I would voluntarily have
To carry my coffin down, down to my grave
And beside my coffin I would have them to walk
While upon my sinful ways I would have them to talk

They will heap the sod upon me, it will make a lonesome sound
While my friends and relations are weeping around
But the sorrows will be over, the tears all wiped away (and I'll soon be forgot)
My friends and relations remember me not

-two missing lines-
But their sorrows will be over, and their tears all wiped away
While my poor body's molding and turning to clay

My parents they thought they had raised me up well
They thought they had taught me to shun all gates of hell
But their counsel I slighted and my own way I took
Remember this young man, his name was William Cook

Lum Wilson "Bill" Jackson
Arvin FSA Camp 8-26-41