Barb'ra Ellen- Melton (KY) 1917 Sharp MS
[My title. Single stanza with music as Bronson 186, from Sharp MSS., 4105. Notes from Sharp's diary follow,
R. Matteson 2015]
Sharp diary 1917 page 283. Tuesday 2 October 1917 - Hyden
After a very bad night start off down Owlsnest Creek in search of Mrs Leona Melton. Go very much out of our way along Cutshin Creek which we have to ford several times but after 5 hours tramping get to mouth of Mackintosh creek where she & her husband live. They are nice people & she sings very prettily and gives me a new "Child" — the Mermaid. They tell us of a "nigh-way" home, only about 4 miles, which we take and reach Hyden about 5, thoroughly done up — we get some grape juice at the Drugstore — no ice alas, here. Am writing up my books when Asher comes in and says he can get up a dance if I will come. Maud is in bed! but gets up and we go round to a house run by two bachelors Westcott & Brown, agents of Peabody Colliery Co. Lewis the postmaster, son of the hotel proprietor, leads. There are 4 couples who dance sufficiently well for us to learn the figures. This delights us as it may now make a visit to Pine Mountain unnecessary. I like Westcott who invites me to dine with him on Thursday at 6.
[Barb'ra Ellen] - Sung by Mrs. Leona Melton, Mackintosh Creek, Hyden, Ky., October 2, 1917. Sharp MSS., 4105/.
a AE
Twas all in the month of. May,
When May buds was a-swelling,
Sweet William came from the Western State
And courted Barbra Ellen.