Awake, Awake- Dillard Chandler (NC) 1963 REC
[From OLD LOVE SONGS AND BALLADS FROM THE BIG LAUREL, NORTH CAROLINA, Folkways Records, Album No. 2309 (available from Smithsonian Folkways).
The family version was first collected by Sharp (version B) from Analize Chandler in 1916.
R. Matteson 2016]
Awake, Awake- Sung by Dillard Chandler of Madison County, North Carolina; recorded by John Cohen and Peter Gott in August of 1963.
Awake, awake, my own true lover
Awake, awake it's almost day;
How can you bear love to sleep and slumber
And your own true lover a-going away.
I'll go all down on yander's river
I'll spend my weeks, my months, my days,
It's I'll eat nothing but green willow
Nor I'll drink nothing but my tears.
Come back, come back, my own true lover
Come back, come back, in grief cried she
It's go and ask your pappa if I mayn't have you
And if he says no please come back and tell me
It'll be the last time I'll bother you.
Oh no I can't, nor I neither won't do it
For he lies on his bedside at rest
And in his hand he holds a weapon
For to kill that boy who I love best.
I'll go all down on yander's river
I'll spend my weeks, my months, my days,
It's I'll eat nothing but green willow
Nor I'll drink nothing but my tears.
Come back, come back my own true lover
Come back, come back in grief cried she,
I will forsake both father and mother
I'll cry so loud and pity thee.