Hi,

My grandfather, Maurice Matteson, collected a hybrid version from Nathan Hicks circa 1933. This became known in that area as "The Highwayman" after the name Charlie Poole gave it in his 1926 Columbia recording. I published Hicks version which is different than Poole's in my "Appalachian Folk Songs for Piano and Voice" Mel Bay, 1996.

I recorded an improve of it on Hicks 1933 dulcimer with my niece singing and nephew playing fiddle, here:
http://bluegrassmessengers.com/Data/Sites/1/avatars/04%20Endurance.mp3

Endurance- Nathan Hicks

The day I left my mother's house,
Was the day I left my home;
The day I left my mother's house,
Was a cold December day.

The sky was dark and cloudy,
To me it looked like rain;
I wished fro a friend in this whole wide world,
Just one who knew my name.

I walked out to the roadside,
To see the passers by;
And there I saw the woman I love,
She rode for many a mile.

"O you have brought me silver,
Or have you brought me gold.
Have you brought me nothing,
To keep me from the gallows pole?"

["I have not brought you silver,
I have not brought yougold.
Nor have I rode for many a mile,
To see you on the the gang once more.]

Richie