Bluegrass Messengers

Down by the Greenwood Side- Brewer (Ark.) 1958

[The Max Hunter Folk Song Collection has two versions from Mrs. Pearl Brewer with music and audio links.]

Down by the Greenwood Side (Version 1)- As sung by Mrs. Pearl Brewer, Pochahantas, Arkansas on November 12, 1958; Max Hunter Folk Song Collection



Listen: http://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/songinformation.aspx?ID=0277

VERSE 1: There was a maid, who had two babes
All alone and lone
She killed those babes and buried 'em under a stone
An' prayed to th Lord, it would never be known
All down by th greenwood side

VERSE 2
This maid was passing by one day
All alone and lone
She saw those babes, both out for play
All down by th greenwood side

VERSE 3
O babes, O babes, if you were mine
All alone and lone
I'd dress you up in silk, so fine
All down by th greenwood side

VERSE 4
O Mother, dear Mother, we once't were yours
All alone and lone
You neither gave us course nor fine
You killed and buried us under a stone
An' prayed to th Lord, it would never be known
All down by th greenwood side

VERSE 5
For seven long years, you shall hear a bell
All alone and lone
And at the end of seven years, you shall land in hell
All down by th greenwood side

Down by the Greenwood Side (Version 2)- As sung by Mrs. Pearl Brewer, Pocahontas, Arkansas on May 27, 1959



Listen: http://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/songinformation.aspx?ID=0350

VERSE 1: There was a maid, who had two babes
All alone and lone
She laid those babes down hand in hand
And with a knife, cut off their heads
All down by th greenwood side

VERSE 2: She buried those babes both under a stone
All alone and lone
And prayed to th Lord, it would never be known
All down by th greenwood side

VERSE 3
This maid was passing by one day
All alone and lone
She saw those babes both out for play
All down by th greenwood side

VERSE 4
O babes, o babes, if you were mine
All alone and lone
I'd dress you up in silk, so fine
All down by th greenwood side

VERSE 5
O Mother, dear Mother, we once't were yours
All alone and lone
You neither gave us course nor fine
You killed and buried us under a stone
And prayed to th Lord it would never be known
All down by th greenwood side

VERSE 6
For seven long years, you shall hear a bell
All alone and lone
And at th end of seven years you shall land in hell
All down by th greenwood side