The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #116137 Message #2497362
Posted By: Richie
19-Nov-08 - 12:05 AM
Thread Name: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
Subject: Lyr Add: DARLING LITTLE JOE (Carter Family)
Randolph collected several versions and the song entered tradition so the likely source of the Carter's 1939 version is Bradley Kincaid, who did the song in 1934.
BROADSIDES: Levy 105.044, "The Death of Little Joe," G. Andre & Co., Philadelphia, 1866 LOCSheet, sm1876 10660, "Little Joe," Blackmar & Finney (New Orleans), 1876 (tune) "The Death of little Joey" H. De Marsan, Publisher, 60 Chatham Street, N. Y.
Broadside LOCSheet sm1876 10660: "Composed and sung by Maj. Chas. E. Addison the noted Confederate Spy and Scout of Gen. John H. Morgan's Command."
DARLING LITTLE JOE-Carter Family
What will the birds do mother in the spring The little brown birds around the door Will they fly from the trees and tap at my window Wondering why Joe wanders out no more
What will the kitten do mother all alone Will it stop from its frolic for a day Will it lie on its rug by the side of my bed As it did before I went away
Keep Tyke dearest mother my poor little dog For I know that he'll miss me too Keep him when old and useless he grows Sleeping all the long summer through
Show him my coat mother so he'll not forget Little master who will then be dead Speak often and kindly of little Joe And pat him on his curly head
What will Thomas the old gardener say When you ask him for a flower for me Will he give you a rose he has tended with care The first fairest bloom of the tree
And you dearest mother will miss me for a while Though in heaven I'll no larger grow Any kind angel will tell you at the gate When you ask for your darling little Joe