Knoxville Girl- Selma Chubb (NC) c.1932 Scarborough A
[From Scarborough; A Song Catcher; 1938- ballads collected circa 1932 (ref. Bronson).
R. Matteson 2016]
Knoxville Girl - text from Selma Chubb (Turkey Creek, NC) c.1932 Scarborough A
My tender parents brought me here,
Providing for me well,
Brought me into Knoxville town,
And placed me in a mill.
And there I spied a pretty little miss,
On which I set my eyes.
I told her that I loved her dear,
And she believed my lies.
I went into her sister's house
About eight o'clock one night.
I asked that I and her might walk
Some little ways away.
We walked and talked until we came
To a dark and lonely place.
I drew a rail from off the fence
And hit her in the face.
She fell upon her bended knees,
For mercy she did cry.
For heaven's sake, don't murder me,
For I'm unprepared to die!
But to her cries I give no heed,
I struck her more and more,
Until the blood came streaming down,
Which I could not restore.
I run my fingers through her dark black hair,
My guilt to hide my sin.
I drug her to the Knoxville stream
And there I plunged her in.
I went back to my own house,
Got there about midnight.
My mother being wearied,
She woke in a terrible fright.
She said, "Oh, son, what have you done
To cause stains upon your hands and clothes?"
I told her with a flush of shame,
'Twas bleeding at the nose.
I asked her for a candle
To light myself to bed,
And also for a handkerchief
To bind my aching head.
I rolled and tumbled all night long,
I could not get no rest.
It seemed as if the flame of hell
Were burning in my breast.
Just two weeks and I must climb
Must climb the scaffold high.
So, loyal, loving, faithful friends,
I'll bid you all good-bye.