245
Kenny Wagner's Surrender
This ballad is one of two about a Mississippi "bad man" of the
1920s. For both ballads, see Hudson FSM 243-6. The following
text, with corruption of 'Texarkana' (where Wagner was arrested),
is close to 'Kenny Wagner's Surrender,' Hudson FSM 245-6. In
FSF 90-1, Morris gives a Florida text of this ballad which is close
to Blaylock's. The ballad is listed by Davis FSV 283.
'Kennie Wagoner's Surrender.' From the John Burch Blaylock Collection.
1 I'm sure you've heard my story
From the Kennie Wagoner song ;
How, down in Mississippi,
I took the road that's wrong.
2 It was down in Mississippi
Where I murdered my first man ;
When the sheriff there at Leaksville
For justice took his stand.
3 Then I went from Mississippi
To the state of Tennessee ;
Two men went down before me
Ere they took my liberty.
4 I wandered through the country.
But I never could find rest ;
Till I went to Voxaccona
Away out in the West.
5 Again I started drinking,
And again I pulled my gun ;
And within a single moment
The deadly work was done.
6 The sheriff was a woman,
But she got the drop on me.
NATIVE AMERICAN BALLADS 567
I quit the game and surrendered ;
She took my Hberty.
7 I'm now in Mississippi,
And I soon shall know my fate ;
I'm waiting for my trial,
But I do not dread my fate.
8 For still the sun is shining.
And the sky is blue and fair ;
But my heart is not repining,
For I do not dread the chair.
9 I've had my worldly pleasure ;
I've faced many a man;
But it was out in Voxaccona
Where a woman called my hand.
10 Young men, young men, take warning,
Oh, take my last advice ;
If you start the game in life wrong.
You must surely pay the price.
-------
24s
Kenny Wagner's Surrender
'Kenny Wagoner.' Sung by Mrs. Mildred Perry Turbyfield. Recorded by the
present editor at Chapel Hill, June 4, I954- The singer came from Mebane;
she learned the ballad as a child from her mother at Sugar Grove, Watauga
county. This is a different text from that given II 566-7. The story is about
a boy in Tennessee who killed a man and was hunted and jailed, and about his
jail-break.
Scale: Hexatonic (6), plagal. Tonal Center: c. Structure: aa^bbi (4,4.4>4) =
ab (8,8).