Lyr Req: Lora Williams / Sara Williams

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lora Williams / Sara Williams
From: Little Robyn
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 02:07 AM

I've found it.
It starts on page 147 with the 'facts' as told to the Traipsin' Woman, Jean Thomas.
"Lora Williams, scarce 16, was ordered to swear out a warrant for her 'false true love'. The girl troubled over it and thought of a plan to escape from doing their will. One day she 'made out' like she was going to the spring for water. But instead she went to the high rock, known as 'Steeple Rock' overlooking the river and drowned herself rather than swear against her betrayer. When the parents came to look about the house, they found that Lora had laid out her 'burying clothes.'"
It was sung by "Widder" Kizzie Talcott's Dan, a blacksmith who said "On account of it bein' a lonesome piece I sing it to the tune of The Little Sparrow."
"Come all ye fair.....
All 10 verses.
Let me know if you want the lot - it has the music as well.
Robyn

Subject: RE: murder balad-lora/sara williams
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 19 Jan 11 - 11:57 PM

These lines are in Ballad Makin' in the Mountains of Kentucky by Jean Thomas (New York: Oak Publications, 1964), page 150:

And when you're tempted, do not falter,
But think of little Lora's fate.

Google Books classifies this book as "snippet view only" so I can't see the whole thing. It might or might not have the whole song.

Subject: murder balad-lora/sara williams
From: GUEST,Allan S.
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 10:17 AM

I have just come across the words to a murder balad that I coppied down at least 50 years ago plot as follows

1st.verse "Come all ye fair and pretty maidens, and listen while I now relate a story sad of old Kentucky and learn of Laura/Sara's fate

Plot as follows-- Lovely summer morning in May Takes bucket from kitchen, puts on bonnet and goes to the spring. Takes path to river asks Lord for mercy did awful thing. Say I must be puinished did awful thing. goes to river. river has no bottom leaves bonnet on rock, tells mother do not weap if they dont find my body I have just gone to sleep. leaps into the raging water sinks beneath the waters deep.
Last verse "Any you who listen to my story Pray be forewarned e'er its to late and when youre tempted do not falter, but think of little Loras? fate

Has anyone ever heard of this song ??? Ideas??