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Lillian Brown
From Mamie Mansfield, Durham, c. 1922-23. Recorded as sung by F.
Coleman, 1922. Contributor's note: "Lillian Brown committed suicide by
drinking a bottle of carbolic acid on Short St. in West Durham, N. C,
ni 1914. To get the poison, she claimed she wanted it for house clean-
ing. She took the poison about five o'clock and died at seven."
1 While the sun in his sinking beauty
Was shining brightly in the West
A fair fortune maiden was thinking
How soon she would meet her death.
2 Lillian Brown from Stanent [Staunton?]. Virginia.
Was boarding near the West Durham Mill.
While tired of life and all her troubles
Drank poison from which a bottle filled.
God only knows how this girl sufifered ;
.She paid an awful debt to be free.
After drinking from the bottle its contents,
Sho said, 'Dear Lord, have mercy on me.'
690 NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLORE