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The Murder of Marian Parker
For the background facts, see the preceding ballad.
'The Murder of Marian Parker.' From O. L. Coffey, Shull's Mills.
Watauga county, August 1939.
1 In a home out in Los Angeles
Lived a sweet little darling so fair.
'Twas a pleasure her loved ones to be,
But these loved ones her joy no more they'll share.
2 For one fatal day there entered in
To that home a demon steeped in sin.
Little Marian Parker crudely played;
Left those loved ones ne'er to return again.
3 Lured away from school that fatal day.
Her father a ransom had to pay ;
And her body severed limb from limb,
Crudely brought by the fiend and cast at him,
4 May this sad story bring to our hearts
A message of warning and care.
For those from whom she must part
Made a whole nation breathe to God a prayer.
5 When the final day of time shall come,
And the Great Judge tries the guilty one,
May those loved ones all meet before the Throne,
Gathered there in that eternal home.