THE DEATH OF EDWARD HAWKINS

Young men, young men, come learn of me
A sad and mournful history
And may you not forgetful be
Of the story I'll relate to thee

For murder I am now arraigned
And in a dungeon bound in chains
And when I'm yet compelled to stay
Until the 29th day of May

And then I'll leave my dungeon home
And be consigned to a cold, dark tomb
And there I must forgotten lie
Then come, young men, come see me die

Come see me meet a youthful grave
To trouble there no more to play
My friends, I do not fear to die
Or meet my Maker in the sky

My sins are great, I do admit
My Saviour's power is greater yet
And on His mercy I rely
For pardon when I come to die

O welcome, death, how sweet the sound
When I no longer shall be around
In twenty-eight days, is yet to mourn (sic)
Bound in my gloomy dungeon home

And then my soul shall fly away
To darkest night or brightest day
And there I must forever be
Through fearful, vast eternity

Come stand around me, young and old,
And see me welcome death so bold
My youthful heart it is so brave
I do not fear to meet the grave

Young men, young men, be warned of me
And always shun bad company
And now I must bid you all adieu
Remember my advice, it is so true

Source:   booklet insert to Asa Martin & The Cumberland Rangers 'Dr Ginger Blue: Timely Old Tunes' Rounder LP 0081.

Note in booklet:   We have no certain evidence that Hawkins did write the present song, although we can trace Asa's version to Hawkins' own singing, through Green Bailey's father. Hawkins was certainly familiar with folksong: in his confession he at one point echoed 'The Rambling Boy': 'I loved her as I did my own life/ And to maintain her high and gay/ I took to robbing night and day'. In any case, no matter who actually composed 'The Death of Edward Hawkins', it certain that its author modelled the song closely upon other confessional songs such as 'McAfee on the Gallows'. Although there are several recordings of this song in the Library of Congress, in so far as we are aware, the song has not appeared in any of the major folksong collections, although it is listed on Combs and Shearin's 'Syllabus of Kentucky Folklore'.[Guthrie T. Meade and Mark Wilson, p17 of booklet].

Edward Hawkins was hanged in Estill County on 28 May 1857 for the murder of James Land and Jessie Arvine. He was twenty years old at the time. Besides being credited with the composition of two songs while in prison, Hawkins gave an emotional, repentant speech at the gallows and left a long confession in the hands of the court. [Booklet p 13].

--Stewie.

Corrections made per Stewie's request. --JoeClone, 10-Mar-03.