315
Cock Robin
'Cock Robin.' Sung by H. Eggers. Recorded at Boone, Watauga county,
probably in 1929. While C. Sharp and others classify this as 'Nursery Song,'
some collections include it with the ballads. Cf. FSF 429; FSSH 406, No. 150 ;
SharpK 11 299-302, No. 213; and OSSG 5.
Scale: Mode III, plagal. Tonal Center: f. Structure: aa^bba^ (2,2,1,1,2).
Who caught his blood?
Who caught his blood ?
'1/ said the fish,
'In my little dish.
And I caught his blood.'
Who saw him die?
Who saw him die?
'I,' said the fly,
'With my little eye,
And I saw him die.'
ADDITIONAL BALLADS 33^
4 Who'll dig his grave?
Who'll dig his grave?
'I,' said the owl,
'With my spade and trowel
And I'll dig his grave.'
5 Who'll carry him there ?
Who'll carry him there ?
'1/ said the bear,
'Just as hard as I can tear.
And I'll carry him there.'
6 Who'll lay him in there ?
Who'll lay him in there?
'[,' said the crane,
'With my bridle rein,
And I'll lay him in there.'
7 Who'll cover him over ?
Who'll cover him over ?
'I,' said the crow,
'With a shovel and a hoe.
And I'll cover him over.'
8 Who'll preach his funeral ?
Who'll preach his funeral?
'I,' said the rook,
'From my little book,
And I'll preach his funeral.'
9 Who'll feed these mourners ?
Who'll feed these mourners ?
'I,' said the dove,
'And one for my love,
And I'll feed these mourners.'