Henry Lee- Krussel (Mo.) 1975 Max Hunter
[From the Max Hunter Folk Song Collection; online. This version clearly is a cover of the 1929 recording of Henry Lee by “Dick” Justice.
R. Matteson 2014]
Henry Lee- As sung by David Krussel, Turners Station, Missouri on March 26, 1975 Max Hunter Folk Song Collection
Listen: http://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/songinformation.aspx?ID=1535
VERSE 1
Get down, get down, little Henry Lee
An' stay all night with me
Th very best lodgin' I can afford
Will be fair better than thee
I can't get down, I won't get down
An' stay all night with thee
O, the girl I have in that merry green land
I love fair better than thee
VERSE 2
She leaned herself against the fence,
Jest for a kiss or two
With a little pen knife held in her hand
She plugged him thru an' thru
Come all you ladies in this town
A secret for me keep
With a diamond ring held on my hand
I never will forsake
VERSE 3
Come take him by his lily white hand
Come take him by his feet
We'll throw him down in this deep, deep well
More then one-hundred feet
Lie there, lie there, little Henry Lee
Till the flesh drops from your bones
Th girl ye have in that merry green land
Still waits for your return
VERSE 4
Fly down, fly down, you little-bitty bird
An' light on my right ear
Your cage will be of purest gold
No need for poverty
O, I can't fly down, no I won't fly down
An' light on your right ear
A girl who would murder her own true love
Would kill a little bird like me
VERSE 5
If I had my bended post
My arrow and my string
I'd send a dart, so nigh your heart
Your warble would be in vain
If you had your bend an' your post
Your arrow and your string
I'd fly away to that merry green land
An' tell what I had seen