The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #96684 Message #1892787
Posted By: GUEST,Richie
24-Nov-06 - 06:43 PM
Thread Name: African- American folksong by Odum 1911
Subject: African- American folksong by Odum 1911
I had a bit of a laugh at this mondegreen. It's easy to spot now but at the time they didn't know. It's a good version.
What song is it? Who's Kelly anyway?
THE JOURNAL OF AMERICAN FOLK-LORE
Vol. XXIV. —JULY-SEPTEMBER, 1911— No. XCIII
FOLK-SONG AND FOLK-POETRY AS FOUND IN THE SECULAR SONGS OF THE SOUTHERN NEGROES
BY HOWARD W. ODUM
42. kelly's love
In "Kelly's Love" the note of disappointed love is sounded:
| : Love, Kelly's love, : | (three times)
You broke de heart o' many a girl,
You never break dis heart o' mine.
| : When I wo' my aprons low, : | (three times)
Couldn't keep you from my do'.
| : Now I weahs my aprons high, : | (three times)
Sca'cely ever see you passin' by.
| : Now I weahs my aprons to my chin, : | (three times)
You pass my do', but can't come in.
| : See what Kelly's love have done. : | (three times)
See what Kelly's love have done.
: If I had listened to what my mamma said, : | (three times)
I would a been at home in mamma's bed.