Black Is the Color- Cassity (KY) 1937 Lomax
[From Alan Lomax Kentucky Recordings, 1937-1942. Another "Black is the color" opening stanza in an archaic version in minor (Dorian).
Listen: https://archive.org/details/afc1937001_1559B1
R. Matteson 2017]
Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair- sung by Uncle Rube Cassity of West Liberty, Morgan, KY on October 23, 1937
Black is the color of my true love's hair,
His face is like a lily fair.
Oh, if ever he returns it will give me great joy,
For none will I have but my sweet soldier boy.
Oh captain, oh captain tell me true,
Does my sweetheart live with you?
Oh tell me quick it 'll give me great joy,
For none will I have but my sweet soldier boy.
Oh no, my little miss, oh he's not hyere[1],
For he was killed in battle my dear,
At the end of the junction that we passed by,
Twas where I left your true love lie.
She called fer a chair to sit upon,
A pen and ink to write it down,
A the end of every line she dropped and tear,
At the end of every verse says, "Oh my dear."
Go dig my grave both wide and deep,
Place a marble stone at my head and feet
And on my breast a turtle dove,
To show to the world that I died for love,
And on my breast a turtle dove,
To show to the world that I died for love.
1. as pronounced