False Knight on the Road- Mrs. Jane Gentry 1916
[Mrs. Jane Gentry, from Madison County, NC, was one of Cecil Sharp's main informants. He collected 70 songs from her.]
False Knight on the Road- Mrs. Jane Gentry 1916
1. "Where are you going?" said the knight in the road.
"I'm a-going to my school," said the child as he stood.
He stood and he stood, he well thought on, he stood,
"I'm a-going to my school," said the child as he stood.
2. What are you eating?
I'm a-eating bread and cheese.
3. I wish'd you was in the sea.
A good boat under me.
4. I wish'd you was in the well.
And you that deep in hell.
Compare to the text from Gentry's daughter Maud Long- Recorded in 1947:
1. "Where are you going?" said the knight in the road.
"I'm going to my school," said the child as he stood.
He stood and he stood, he well thought on, he stood,
"I'm going to my school," said the child as he stood.
2. "Oh, what do you study there?" said the knight in the road.
"We learn the word of God," said the child as he stood.
He stood and he stood, he well thought on, he stood,
"We learn the word of God," said the child as he stood.
3. "Oh, what are you eating there?" said the knight in the road.
"I'm eating bread and cheese," said the child as he stood.
4. "Oh, won't you give me some?" said the night in the road.
"No, nare a bite nor crumb," said the child as he stood.
5. "I wish you were in the sea," said the knight in the road.
"A good boat under me," sa id the child as he stood.
6. "I wish you were in the sand," said the knight in the road.
"A good staff in my hand," said the child as he stood.
7. "I wish you were in a well," said the knight in the road.
"And you that deep in Hell," said the child as he stood.