Lorendo- Tillett (NC) 1924 Chappell
[From Folk-Songs from the Roanoke and Albemarle Chappell, 1939. Also Bronson No. 8, where he has the date wrong (1934). Taken from "Tink" Tillett who was collected by Brown and also Warner c. 1940s.
R. Matteson 2014]
"Lorendo"- from Chappell, 1939, p. 14. Sung by Charles Tillett, Wanchese, N.C., text, 1924, tune, 1935.
Where have you been, Lorendo, Lorendo, my son?
Where have you been, Lorendo, my dear little one?
I've been to see my sweetheart, mother, make my bed soon,
I am sick to my heart and I wish to lie down.
What did you eat for supper, Lorendo, my son?
What did you at for supper, my dear little one?
A dish of fried eels, mother, pray make my bed soon,
I am sick to my heart and I wish to lie down.
What do you will your mother, Lorendo, my son?
What do you will your mother, my dear little one?
My house and plantation, mother, make my bed soon,
I am sick to my heart and I wish to lie down.
What do you will your brother, Lorendo, my son?
What do you will your brother, my dear little one?
My horse, bridle, and saddle, mother, make my bed soon,
I am sick to my heart and I wish to lie down.
What do you will your sister, Lorendo, my son?
What do you will your sister, my dear little one?
My gold watch and bracelet, mother, make my bed soon,
I am sick to my heart and I wish to lie down.
What do you will your sweetheart, Lorendo, my son?
What do you will your sweetheart, my dear little one?
The keys of hell's gate, mother, pray make my bed soon,
For she was the cause of my sad lying down.