169
My Sweetheart's Dying Words
Just this piece has not been found in other collections of folk
song, though the general theme is familiar. The quotation marks
indicating change of speaker are the editor's.
'My Sweetheart's Dying Words.' Contributed by Efifie Tucker but with-
out indication of time or place.
I 'Dear Charlie dear, don't grieve for me,
For, dear, I will not grieve for thee.
WIND AND PINE
OLDER BALLADS — MOSTLY BRITISH 433
For when I'm dead and leave this world
I'll pray for you and the other girl.
2 'Do you remember two years ago?
'Twas then you said. "I love you so."
Oh, 1 will never forget those tears
If I would live for years and years.
3 "Twas tears of joy, my Charlie dear,
For those words you whispered in my ear.
I'll tell you more, Charlie dear,
If you will come a little nearer.'
4 'Twas then she sighed and called to me,
'Farewell, my dear, farewell 'twill be.'
She then closed those eyes so blue.
'Twas then I realized she'd been true.
5 'Oh, will you, darling, forgive me
For all the wrong I've treated thee?
I thought that you were untrue to me ;
That's why 1 went with Carryl-Lee.
6 'Oh, no, my dear, I do love you,
Although you're gone from me forever.
Oh, marry her I'll never do,
For I love you, and marry her? Never.'