Your Little Blood Red (Edward)- Richards (Virginia) 1918 Sharp G
[My title. From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians by Sharp/Karpeles I, 1932, with music.
R. Matteson 2012, 2014]
[Your Little Blood Red]- Sung by Mr. Ebe Richards at St. Peter's School, Callaway, Va., Aug. 18, 1918; Sharp G
1 Where did you get your little blood red?
My son, come tell to me.
I got it out of the little grey hawk
That sits on yonder tree.
2 That little grey hawk's blood was never so red.
My son, come tell to me.
I got it out on that little red (sometimes, grey) colt
That ploughed on yonders field.
3. That little grey (or red) colt's blood was never so red.
My son, come tell to me.
I got it out of my poor little brother
That rode away with me.
4. What are you going to do when your papa comes home?
My son, come tell to me.
I'll set my foot in the bottomless ship,
And sail across the sea.
5. When are you coming back, my son?
My son, come tell to me.
When the moon and sun sets in yonders hill,
And that will never be.