Henery, My Son- Henneberry (Devil's Island, Nova Scotia) c.1928
[From Traditional Songs from Nova Scotia, Creighton and Senior, 1950, version A. No date given, was surely in his repertoire in 1928 when he first sang for Creighton; more research needed to establish a credible date. Since Ben (1863-1951) was born in 1863 it's likely this version is much older than 1928. Creighton recorded Henneberry singing this ballad c. 1943 after Alan Lomax at the Library of Congress loaned her a portable recording machine. Creighton's notes follow.
This ballad is surprisingly rare in Canada, Creighton has two versions and fragment (3), Fowke (1) and Karpeles, Mackenzie, and Greenlief, none.
R. Matteson 2011, 2014]
In the 1st stanza Mr. Henneberry sometimes sings, "I don't feel well," etc., and in the 6th he has willed the brother his sword and bridle, later changing it to horse and saddle.
Henery, My Son- Sung by Mr. Ben Henneberry, Devil's Island, Nova Scotia; c.1928
1. "O what is the matter, Henery, my son,
O what is the matter, my own dearest one,"
"I've been to my sweetheart, mother, make my bed soon,
I feel sick at the heart and I want to lie down."
2. "What did she give you, Henery, my son,
What did she give you, my own dearest one,"
"She gave me golden fishes, mother, make my bed soon,
I feel sick at the heart and I want to lie down."
3. "What will you will your mother, Henery my son,
What will you will your mother, my own dearest one?"
" I will will you my money, mother, make my ned soon,
I feel sick at the heart and I fain would lie down."
4. "What will you will your father, Henery my son,
What will you will your father, my own dearest one?"
"I will him my land and houses, mother, make my bed soon,
I feel sick at heart and I fain would lie down."
5. "What will you will your sister, Henery my son,
What will you will your sister, my own dearest one?"
"I'll will her my sheep and cattle, mother, make my bed soon,
I feel sick at heart and I fain would lie down."
6. "What will you will your brother, Henery my son,
What will you will your brother, my own dearest one?"
"I'll will him my horse and saddle, mother, make my bed soon,
I feel sick at the heart and I fain would lie down."
7. "What will you will your sweetheart, Henery my son,
What will you will your sweetheart my, own dearest one?"
"I'll will her a rope to hang herself on yonder green tree,
It was poison she gave me and she has [betrayed] you and me." [1]
1. Footnoted by Creighton; betrayed?