Lizzie May- Wyatt (KY) 1933 Niles
[From the Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles; 1961. This unusual version of Lizie Wan was "collected" by Niles whose reputation for finding unusual versions that are regarded as suspicious by the established folk community is well-known. He has even admitted his re-creations (Wilgus AAFS, p. 213).
R. Matteson 2014]
Lizzie May- Cluster Wyatt (Winchester, KY) 1933 John Jacob Niles
1. Now Lizzie May sat in her bedroom door,
She grieved and she wept all day,
Till by there came her father dear,
Said: "What ail of ye, Lizzie May?"
2. "My ailing is a woman's ail,
Dear father, I'll tell ye why:
I have a baby in my side
All caused by brother and I."
3. Now Lizzie May sat in her bedroom door,
She grieved and she wept all day,
Till by there came her mother dear,
Said: "What ail of ye, Lizzie May?"
4. "My ailing is a woman's ail,
Dear Mother, I'll tell ye why:
I have a baby in my side
All caused by brother and I."
5. Now Lizzie May sat in her bedroom door,
She grieve and she wept all day,
Till by there came her brother,
Said: "What ail of ye, Lizzie May?"
6. And when he found what the matter was,
He showed her no mercy,
But cut her body all so fair,
In pieces by one, two and three.
7. Oh, he will sail the wildest sea,
Beyond the farthest land-o,
Because the blood of Lizzie May,
Was red upon his hand-o.