Henry, My Son- Dodge (NYC) 1914 Davis App A
[My title. Davis, Traditional Ballads of Virginia, 1929. I've reorganized stanzas below from 5 to 4 lines to fit a normal order.
R. Matteson 2011, 2014]
[Henry, My Son]- Contributed by Miss Amelia Dodge as sung by the boys from the East Side of New York City, 1914. Davis Appendix A.
1. "Where have you been all day, Henry, my son?
Where have you been all day, my loving one?"
"Down at grandma's, down at grandma's! Make my bed,
I've a pain in my head And I want to lie down and die."
2. "What did you eat at grandma's, Henry, my son?
What did you eat at grandma's, my loving one?"
"Milk and poison, milk and poison! Make my bed,
I've a pain in my head, And I want to lie down and die."
3. "What did you leave to your father, Henry, my son?
What did you leave to your father, my loving one?"
"Gold and silver, gold and silver! Make my bed,
I've a pain in my head, And I want to lie down and die."
4. "What did you leave to your mother, Henry, my son?
What did you leave to your mother, my loving one?"
"Silks and satins, silks and satins! Make my bed,
I've a pain in my head, And I want to lie down and die."
5. "What did you leave to the baby, my son?
What did you leave to the baby, my loving one?"
"A kiss from heaven, a kiss from heaven!"
Make my bed, I've a pain in my head,
And I want to lie down and die."
6. "What did you leave to your brother, Henry, my son?
What did you leave to your brother, my loving one?"
"A rope to hang him, a rope to hang him!
Make my bed, I've a pain in my head,
And I want to lie down and die."