The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #164528   Message #3940472
Posted By: Mick Pearce (MCP)
30-Jul-18 - 02:33 PM
Thread Name: Origins: James Madison Carpenter- Child Ballads 4
Subject: RE: Origins: James Madison Carpenter- Child Ballads 4
Richie - I haven't time to check this further, as I'm just on my way out, but here's my first reading of it.

Mick



1. "O son, dear son, O come tell it unto me,
O where were you, this lang summer's evening?"
"I went fishin an' fowlin'; sister, show mercy,
O MAMAW O PARDON ME"

2. What had you for breakfast, my dear and my darling (die)
O What had you for breakfast, my darling fine BOY
O FRESH EELS AND slow poison, mama, make my bed soon,
FRESH EELS AND slow poison, and I MEANT to lie down."

3. "O son, dear son, O come tell it unto me,
O What will you do with yer two little children?
I will give ONE to my daddy and the other to my mammy,
O TO KEEP THEM COMPANY, O mamaw pardon me.

4."O son, dear son, O come tell unto me,
What will ye do with your house and land?"
"I will leave it THERE to the BIRDS IN THE AIR
And [tell them] there to mourn for me,
SO MAMAW? pardon me.

5. "O son, dear son, O come tell IT UNTO ME
What will you do with yer DEAR DEVIL WIFE
I'LL GIVE TO HER THE BAG AND THE BOTTLE
O TO HUNT THE COUNTERIE, O TO HUNT THE COUNTERIE
THEN MAMAW PARDON ME

6. O son, dear son, O come tell it unto me
What will you do with your two gray hounds?
I will take their straps ALL off their neck,
AND FOR ME THEY'LL RACE NO MORE

7. O son, dear son, O come tell it unto me
What will you did do with your two RACE horses?
I will take THE bridal off their HEAD
And FOR ME THEY'LL RACE NO MORE
O MAMAW O PARDON ME