Richie

The Blevins recording you mentioned was made at the 8 November 1927 session for Columbia. Unfortunately, 'Little Bunch of Roses' was unissued. The other sides from the session are available on 'Music From the Lost Provinces' Old Hat CD-1001. I don't know whether 'Roses' has since surfaced anywhere.

However, below is my transcription of the version by Murphy Brothers Harp Band. I am not certain of the first part of the first line of the penultimate stanza, but in brackets is what it sounds like.


LITTLE BUNCH OF ROSES

Instrumental intro

Darling, I have come to tell you
Though the message breaks my heart
On the dawning of tomorrow
You and I, my love, must part

Chorus:
Then take this little bunch of roses
That you gave me years ago
Hold them, kiss them and caress them
But I'll never kiss you more

Instrumental break

[There though] sad the hour of parting
My poor heart it breaks with pain
In some future years to come, love,
We may some time meet again

Chorus

Instrumental break

When the whippoorwill is singing
On some dark and lonesome sea
Won't you some time, little darling,
Cast one single thought for me

Chorus

Instrumental break

Chorus

Source: transcription of Murphy Brothers Harp Band 'Little Bunch of Roses' recorded on 4 December 1930 in Atlanta, Georgia, and issued as Columbia 15646-D in April 1931. Reissued on Various Artists 'The Rose Grew Round the Briar Vol II' Yazoo CD 2031.

Another in the family is 'Last Gold Dollar'. Below is my transcription of a version by Ephraim Woodie & The Henpecked Husbands. I am unable to decipher completely the first line of the penultimate stanza.

LAST GOLD DOLLAR

Lord, I'd give my last gold dollar
Yes, I'd give my gold watch and chain
I would pawn this heart in my body
Just to see my darlin' again

Don't this road look long and lonely
Don't the sea look wide and deep
Would you ever think of me darlin'
If you could not hear me speak

Take me back to North Carolina
Bring me back to Tennessee
Bring me back my blue-eyed darlin'
She is all this world to me

I remember last time I saw her
How my heart was torn with pain
When she said, 'Goodbye, God bless you
We may never meet again'

You may be with pride [?]
Some may tell you I'm not true
But, remember dearest, darlin'
No one loves you as I do

Every night in this creation
Bending on my tremblin' knee
Then I pray to God and ask him
'Oh, what does my sweetheart mean?'

Don't this road look long and lonely
Winding down this rocky stream
But, remember dearest, darlin'
You are always in my dreams

Source: transcription of Ephraim Woodie & The Henpecked Husbands 'Last Gold Dollar' recorded on 29 October 1929 in Johnson City, Tennessee, and issued in August 1930 as Columbia 15564-D. Reissued on Various Artists 'Music From the Lost Provinces: Old-time Stringbands from Ashe County Nth Carolina & Vicinity 1927-1931' Old Hat CD-1001.

The lyrics to another in the family - the Carter Family's 'Farewell Nellie - may be found on this page: Click. The details are: recorded on 18 June 1937 and issued as Decca 5677.

--Stewie.