Two Little Babes- McCullough (MO-OK) 1913 Moore A
[From BALLADS AND FOLK SONGS OF THE SOUTHWEST- Moores, 1964, version A. Notes by the Moores follow.
R. Mateson 2014]
11. The Cruel Mother
This ballad (Child, No. 20) was first printed in the latter part of the eighteenth century in Great Britain. It is very widespread in Germany, and was found in Denmark in 1820. For a complete history of it, see Child, p. 218-27; for texts and other references: Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, 80-93; Cox, 29-30; creighton and Senior, 17-20; Davis, 133-36; Eddy, 24; Greenleaf and Mansfield, 15-1 6; Journal, vol. XXV, 183 (Mackenzie), vol. xxx, 293 (cox), vol. XLV, 159 (cox); McGill, 83; Mackenzie, No. 3; Mackenzie, Guest, 104; Morris, 250-54; Motherwell, II, 31-32; Randolph, I, 73-74; Scarborough, song catcher, 169-71; and Sharp, I, 56-62.
A. Two Little Babes- sung by Mrs. Eliza Ann McCullough of Tulsa. Mrs. McCullough was born in Missouri and came to Oklahoma in 1913. She learned her songs from her Tennessee-born mother.
As I was going to my father's house,
Alone, alone and lonely,
I saw two babes playing with a ball,
Down by the greenwood side.
"Oh babes, oh babes, if you were mine,"
Alone, alone and lonely,
"I'd dress you up in silk so fine."
Down by the greenwood side.
"Oh, mother, oh, mother, when we were yours,"
Alone, alone and lonely,
"You neither dressed us fine nor coarse."
Down by the greenwood side.
She bound their hands and feet with a ribbon belt,
Alone, alone and lonely,
And buried them beneath a stone,
Down by the greenwood side.