Here's an unusual version (at least the way it appears in print). On page Page 34 of OLD, OLD FOLK SONGS c. 1951 by Fred High of Berryville, Arkansas, comes this version (reproduced exactly as printed :)
TWO LOVERS SET SPARKING
One evening late as they set sparking her brothers Chance come over here says your-court-ships they will soon B over for we will march him right along to his grave Next morning as they arose a game of hunting for to go & on this young man they insisted that he Should go along with them They rode over hills & over vallies & over land that was unknown & they rode till they come to the lonesome Valley & there they killed him dead alone That evening ate as they was returning their sister Asked for the survent boy says Ive lost him in our game of hunting & no more of him could've ever find That evening [l]ate as she lye-weeping he appeared to her bed side says your brothers have killed me with rush & crual & here i lye in agoar of blood Next morning earley as she arose & dressed her self in rich-eare says ile ride ile ride to the end of the mountain or seak the object of my love. She rode over hills & over vallies & over land which was unknown & she rode & she rode till she come to The lone-some-valley & there she found him dead alone His red rosey cheeks they had all faded & his lips Was of a salty bryne & she kissed them over & ore a crying says a darling busem friend of mine That evening late as she was returning her brothers Asked where she had ben. oh hold your tongue u deseite Ful villings for dead alone U both shall hang Next motning early as they arose & started over the Ocean deep the waves they did over come them & now They are both mouldern in the deep
by the Hayneses
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I'll post a translation below. Curiously, there are around a dozen versions from the Ozarks and the Southwest. -----------------------------------
Two Lovers Set Sparking (Translated R. Matteson)
One evening late as they set sparking[1], Her brothers chanced come overhear, Said: Your courtships they will soon be over For we will march him right along to his grave.
Next morning as they arose, A game of hunting for to go And on this young man they insisted, That he should go along with them.
They rode over hills and over valleys, And over land that was unknown And they rode till they come to the Lonesome Valley And there they killed him dead alone.
That evening late as they was returning Their sister asked for the servant boy, Saying: We've lost him in our game of hunting And no more of him could've ever find.
That evening late as she lie weeping He appeared to her bedside; Saying: Your brothers have killed me both[2] rash and cruel And here I lie in a gore of blood.
Next morning early she arose A And dressed herself in rich array, Saying: I'll ride, I'll ride to the end of the mountain Or seek the object of my love.
She rode over hills and over valleys And over land which was unknown And she rode and she rode till she come to the lonesome valley And there she found him dead alone.
His red rosy cheeks they had all faded And his lips was of a salty brine; And she kissed them o'er and o'er a-crying Saying Darling bosom friend of mine.
That evening late as she was returning Her brothers asked where she had been; Oh hold your tongue you deceitful villains For dead alone you both shall hang.
Next morning early as they arose And started over the ocean deep The waves they did over come them And now they are both moulderin' in the deep
by the Haynes
1. courting 2. originally "with"
[Quite a transformation- from English to English!!!)