The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #143708   Message #3351238
Posted By: Steve Gardham
15-May-12 - 03:57 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Child Ballads: US Versions Part 2
Subject: RE: Origins: Child Ballads: US Versions Part 2
MTBV is The Broken-Hearted Lover. Contributed by R E Lee Smith of Palmyra, Va. Sung by his brother, Thomas P Smith and himself. Dec 1912.
Learned from the singing of Mrs. Chaney Smith, who heard it sung by her mother 70 years before.

I wouldn't normally trust the Smith family material but there's nothing too freaky here, except perhaps the language is rather close to early versions in Child, such as 'breath smells earthy strong' and the last verse.

FWIW here it is.

'Wind cold today, my love,
And some wee drops of rain;
I never had but one dear love,
And in the cruel grave she was lain.

'I do as much for my dear love
As any young man will say;
I will set and cry on her grave
For one year and a day.'

The one year and a day being up,
the dead began to speak;
'Oh, who's weeping on my grave
And will not let me sleep?'

'It's me, my love, sets on your grave
And will not let you sleep;
For I crave one kiss from your fair lips
And that is all I ask.'

'You crave one kiss from my cold lips,
But my breath smells earthy strong;
If you have one kiss from my cold lips
Your days will not be long.

'It is down in yonder fields so green,
Love, where we used to walk;
The beautifulles' flower that ever was seen
Is withered now to a stalk.