On Springfield Mountain there did dwell, A comely youth I knew full well.
Chorus: Ri tu di nu, ri tu di na, Ri tu di nu, ri tu di na.
One Monday morning he did go, Down to the meadow for to mow.
He scarce had mowed half the field, When a PESKY SARPENT bit his heel.
He took his scythe and with a blow, He laid the Pesky Sarpent low.
He took the Sarpent in his hand, And straitway (sic) went to Molly Bland.
Oh Molly, Molly here you see, The Pesky Sarpent what bit me.
Now Molly had a ruby lip, With which the pizen she did sip.
But Molly had a rotten tooth, Which the Pizen struck and kill'd 'em both.
The neighbours found that they were dead, And laid them both on one bed.
And all their friends both far and near, Did cry and howl they were so dear.
Now all you maids a warning take, From Molly Band and Tommy Blake.
And mind when your (sic) in love don't pass, Too near to patches of high grass.
Sheet music in American Memory, dated in MS. 1840, pub. by Oakes and Swan, Boston. "By the Author." Another copy (nd) in Levy Collection. Original capitalization and spelling kept in this copy. The Traditional Ballad Index has a date of 1836. This may be the same text.
The story about Timothy Myrick apparently is a late addition. Is there any data as to the cause of death of this 18th century man?