I think we can make this into a DTStudy of this song. Messages posted after this one are subject to editing.
-Joe Offer
FLOYD COLLINS
O come all ye good people, and listen while I tell,
The fate of Floyd Collins, a lad we all know well.
His face was fair and handsome, his heart was true and brave;
His body now lies sleeping in a lonely sandstone cave.
"O mother, don't you worry; dear father, don't be sad;
I'll tell you all my troubles in an awful dream I had.
I dreamed I was a prisoner; my life I could not save.
I cried, "O must I perish within this sandstone cave? "
The rescue party labored; they worked both night and day
To move the mighty barriers that stood within the way.
"To rescue Floyd Collins," this was their battle cry,
"We'll never, no, we'll never let Floyd Collins die!"
But on that fatal morning, the sun rose in the skies;
The workers still were busy, "We'll save him by and by."
But O how sad the ending; his life could not be saved;
His body then was sleeping in a lonely sandstone cave.
Young peopie, O take warning from Floyd Collins' fate,
And get right with your Maker before it is too late.
It may not be a sandstone cave in which we find our tomb,
But at the bar of judgment we too will meet our doom.
From Ballads and Songs of Michigan, Gardner
Collected from Miss Mabel Tuggle by Mrs. W.A.Drinkard, VA
DT #769
Laws G22
@mining @death
filename[ FLOYDCOL
RG
oct96
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I gather from other threads that the song was recorded by Jimmie Rodgers and by Vernon Dalhart.
Here's part of a pertinent post from another thread:
Thread #7829 Message #47715
Posted By: Dale Rose
02-Dec-98 - 09:41 PM
Thread Name: Ben Dewberry's Last Ride
Subject: RE: Ben Dewberry's Last Ride
Here is a little more information on compositions by Andrew Jenkins, courtesy of Dr. Bill McNeil at the Ozark Folk Center. In addition to those mentioned above, he also wrote The Death of Floyd Collins, The Scopes Trial, and The Wreck of the Royal Palm, all most notably done by Vernon Dalhart, and also the well known gospel song, God Put a Rainbow in the Clouds.
Do we have a tune for this song?
-Joe Offer-