Drowsy Sleeper- Mrs. T.M. Davis (AR) 1953 Parler C

Drowsy Sleeper- Mrs. T.M. Davis (AR) 1953 Parler C   


[From Ozark Folksong Collection; Reel 174 Item 10. Collected by M.C. Parler. According to the recording it is Lula Davis who must be Mrs. T.M. Davis:
http://digitalcollections.uark.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/OzarkFolkSong/id/2867/rec/3

As I remember Oleavia Houser [Hauser] was related to the Davis singers : a mother, two daughters, who also have versions (one of daughters?).

R. Matteson 2016]

 

The Drowsy Sleeper
- Sung by Mrs. T.M. (Lula) Davis Fayetteville, Arkansas November 15, 1953;

Wake up, wake up, you drowsy sleeper,
Wake up, wake up, for it's almost day,
How can you stand to sleep and slumber,
When your own true lover's going away?

Once I lived in old Virginny,
To North Carolina I did go,
There I spied a fair young lady,
But her name I did not know,

Her hair was dark, and her eyes were sparkling,
And on her cheeks were roses[1] red,
And on her dress she wore a lily,
Oh the tears that I did shed.

Oh Molly dear, go ask your mother,
 If you my bride can ever be,
If she says no, come back and tell me,
And I no more shall trouble thee.

Oh no, I'll not go ask my mother,
For she lies on her bed at rest,
And in her hand she holds a dagger,
[To] pierce the one that I love best.

1. sung "rases"