Lazarus and Dives- Pritt (Va.) 1924 Davis
[From Davis; Traditional Ballads of Virginia; 1929. Davis who was the first one to report this ballad labeling it a version of Child 56 and gloating a bit (see notes below). He would soon be taken to task for it by Phillips Barry in BFSSNE Vol. 1, who did a review of Davis' book (See my opening comments of the Appendix of Child 56; US versions). Davis's notes follow.
R. Matteson 2014]
DIVES AND LAZARUS
(Child, No. 56)
The text and melody here given are the only version of this ballad known to survive in America. No other collector has hitherto reported it from any state. This was the final ballad added to the Virginia collection. with it the Virginia Folk-Lore Society attained the objective it had arbitrarily set for itself at the time or its founding as the mark to be reached before it should publish its findings. The survival of more than fifty ballads in this state was felt to be exceedingly doubtful. The fiftieth ballad was already in the archives, though it had not been counted. This was in reality the fifty-first.
The Virginia version differs entirely, except in the bald outline of the Biblical story from the Child versions. The difference of language is just about complete. The Virginia text appears to be somewhat damaged in this respect. Its language here is certainly not the usual ballad language; note "condition," "damnation," compassion," communication," "persuaded." Rhyme has been almost completely lost except in the first stanza. The moralistic close is also a bit stronger and more scriptural than in the Child texts. But it is a good vigorous ballad with impressive tune.
The only American reference would be Bulletin No. 12, p. 3 where the recovery of this item was first announced.
"Lazarus and Dives" or "The Rich Man Dives." Collected by Mr. Ben C. Moomaw Jr, Sung by Mr. Sam Pritt of Barber, Va., Alleghany county. November 24, 1924, with music.
1. There was a man in ancient times,
Dressed in purple and fine linen;
He ate, he drank, but scorned to pray,
Spent all of his days in sinning.
2 Poor Lazarus lying at his gate,
All helpless in his condition,
He asked the crumbs fell to the floor
That fell from his rich table.
3 But not one thing would he bestow
To help him in his condition.
The dogs took pity and licked his sores,
More ready to relieve him.
4 At length it came the poor man died,
And angel bands surrounding,
Away to Abraham's bosom flies,
Where all his troubles ended.
5 At length it came the rich man died
In his horrible condition;
In hell he lifted up his eyes,
In hell in his damnation.
6 Seeing Lazarus lying afar off
All safe in Abraham's bosom,
"Father Abraham, have compassion on me,
Send Lazarus with cold water.
For I am tortured in these flames,
Oh, in an endless torture."
7 "Oh, don't you remember when on earth,
And at your gate a-lying,
He asked the crumbs fell to your floor,
That fell from your rich table."
B "But not one thing would you bestow
To help him in his condition.
Besides there is an endless gulf
Cuts off all communication."
9 "Father Abraham, one more request
And I'll confine myself to torture;
Send Lazarus to earth my five brethren to warn,
They're going fast to ruin."
10 "There's Moses and the prophets too,
By them to be persuaded;
If one were risen from the dead
They would not be persuaded."