MILLER'S GOIN' FER TO DIE

Jim Hurlburt
Visalia, 1940

There was an old miller
He's a goin' fer to die
When he died he made his will
When he died he made his will
Three old baskets, one on the mill.

He called up his oldest son
Son O son my life's most done
Son O son my life's at stake
And I want you to tell me the toll you'll take.

Dad O Dad my name is Heck
Dad O Dad my name is Heck
Dad O Dad my name is Heck
An' out a that bushel I'll take a peck.

Son sich a toll no man can live
Son sich a toll no man can live
Son sich a toll no man can live
And by such terms you'll get no will.

Tum-a-fract-i-riddle
Tum-a-fract-i-ay
Tum-a-fract-i-riddle
Tum-a-fract-i-ay
Tum-a-hoo-di-iddle-i-day

He called up his next oldest son
Son O son my life's most done
Son O son my life's at stake
And I want you to tell me the toll you'll take.

Dad O Dad my name is Ralph
Dad O Dad my name is Ralph
Dad O Dad my name is Ralph
And out of that bushel I'll take a half.

Son such a toll no man can live
Son such a toll no man can live
Son such a toll no man can live
And by such terms you'll get no will

Tum-a-fract-i-riddle
Tum-a-fract-i-ay
Tum-a-fract-i-riddle
Tum-a-fract-i-ay
Tum-a-hoo-di-iddle-i-day

He called up his youngest son
Son O son my life's most done
Son O son my Life's at stake
And I want you to tell me the toll you'll take.

Dad O Dad my name is a brave and a bonny boy
All I take it is my joy
And all your riches i do like -
I'll take the corn and sell the sack.

The old lady shouted and she howled and cried
The old lady shouted and she howled and cried
The old lady shouted and she howled and cried
And the old man kicked up his heels and died.

Turn-a-fract-i-riddle
Tum-a-fract-i-ay
Tum-a-fract-i-riddle
Tum-a-fract-i-ay
Tum-a-hoo-di-iddle-i-day.

From Voices From the Dust Bowl

Sound file is there, too.