Does anyone know of the origins of this song? Fill in the blanks? Alternate versions? It's been handed down through the family but I can't find my recording.


Oh come ye young people I pray ye attend
This magical deed to you I'll unfold

This magical deed to you I'll unfold
I came here to __________________ when I was 20 years old

I stopped at a tavern for to stay all the night
and I asked for my sypper as I thought it was right

The table was laid and the knicknack was spread
It was hoecake and hominy and a dead possum's head

_________________________________________________
Now said the old man, let us all got to bed

I lay myself down for to take on some ease
But scarcely could sleep for the lice and the fleas

I tossed and I tumbled there all the long night
And hardly could scratch as fast as they'd bite

A king and a queen and a company of more
came riding on horsebacl and walking before

A stark naked drummer was beating his drum
With his heels in his pockets begore them did run

Oh it rained and it hailed, and I stood in the storm
With my hands in my hat for to keep my head warm....