Hi,

Just as the end of Cunningham's version appears to be a different song- perhaps related to: "The Unkind Parents, or, The Languishing Lamentation of two Loyal Lovers" (the source of the "Dearest Dear" songs in the US) from the late 1600s- the ballad, "Drowsy sleeper" may have be spawned by an earlier broadside- clearly none I have posted are that broadside or print version. It may not exist.

Here's the complete Bahama version from: "Folk-tales of Andros Island, Bahamas" Parsons; 1918, Story and song from Lucy Rolle about 33, from Andros. (Only the end of the story "bride o' mine" and first verse are part of Drowsy Sleeper)

112. THE GOLD RING.

Once was a time, a very good time,
When monkey chew tobacco an' spit white lime.

Dis was Jack. Engaged to a girl name Greenleaf. He was cotin' her for many months. Jack parents say dey ain't agree for him to marry to Greenleaf. "0h," he said, "if he don' marry to Greenleaf, he go away." Befo' he went he bought a beautiful gol' ring. An' he went to Greenleaf house, gave her de ring, says, "Take dis gol' ring, put it on yer finger. Take dis gol' ring to remember me. An' if I shall remain for a few years mo' longer, I hope you remain a bride o' mine."

1 True love, true love,
Go an' ask your mother,
An' what Come back to me.
An' if she say yes,
Come back an' tell me;
An' if she say no,
I would no marry.

2. Take dis gol' ring,
Put it on your finger;
Take dis gol' ring
To remember me.
Take dis gol' ring,
Put it on your finger;
Take dis gol' ring
To remember me.

Den off Jack went. At las' Jack wrote for de girl. An' she went. She was married in dat far countree. It was one of de grandest weddin' dat we have ever seen. As I was passin' along de bouquet dat de bride had in her han', she knock me wid de bouquet, an' dere I fell; an' no sooner dan I was on de groun' dere I piss.

Richie