Does anyone have the Belden lyrics from 1909? I believe he collected two versions presumably from Missouri.

Anyone have Henry Whitter's lyrics or Ernest Thompson?

It seems strange that with a song so widely known and popular that no associated parlor song from the 1800s can be located. It's close in lyric and sentiment to these two Stephen Foster songs:

BURY ME IN THE MORNING MOTHER
1863 Foster

Lay me down where the grass is green, mother,
Beneath the willow shade,
Where the murmuring winds will mourn, mother,
The wreck that death has made.

Chorus: Bury me in the morning,
And mourn not at my loss,
For I'll join the beautiful army
That carried the Saviour's cross.


UNDER THE WILLOW
Stephen Foster, 1860

Under the willow she's laid with care,
Sang a lone mother while weeping,
Under the willow, with golden hair,
My little one's quietly sleeping.

Chorus: Fair, fair, and golden hair;
Sang a lone mother while weeping,
Fair, fair, and golden hair;
Under the willow she's sleeping.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Richie