Lamkins- Belangia (NC) 1924 Chappell
[From: Chappell, Folk-Songs of Roanoke & the Albemarle (1939) p. 76. This is the last part of the ballad mixed with verses of Wagoners Lad.
R. Matteson 2015]
Lamkins- Sung by L. Belangia, Columbia, NC 1924.
O Lamkins, O Lamkins,
Pray spare me one hour;
I will give you my daughter Betsy
To branch off all flower[1].
Not for your daughter Betsy
To branch off all flower[1];
'Tis your precious body
I am going to devour.
O Lamkins, O Lamkins,
Pray spare me one day;
I will give You as much money
As you can tote away.
Not for as much money
As I can tote away;
'Tis your precious body
I am going to slay.
Take out your horses[2]
And give them some hay;
And seat yourself by me
So long as you stay.
My horses are not hungry,
They won't eat Your ha;
So farewell, Pretty Polly,
I'll feed on my way.
Ofttimes have you seen me go,
And ofttimes seen me come;
But I must now depart from you
To never more return.
1. Probably, "The branch of all flowers" which means "My own blooming flower."
2. The last three stanzas are from Wagoner's Lad or a related folk song.