Meet Me in the Moonlight- Flora McDowell c1905 (Prisoner's Song)
[It is believed that some of the text originated with Joseph Augustine Wade (1796-1845), who wrote the lyrics "Meet Me By Moonlight Alone," around 1826. A close variant sung by Vernon Dalhart, "The Prisoner's Song," became the biggest hit song in early country music in 1924. McDowell's version, like "The Prisoner's Song" is about a prisoner- and since the first verses and chorus were learned by Flora Lassiter (McDowell) before 1924-- it's very important in establishing the prisoner theme as part of "Meet Me in the Moonlight" and proving that the Prisoner's Song was taken from tradition. However, the last verse from a different source, a Mrs. Womack, is from the Prisoner's Song and she knew the song as such.
Dalhart, who copyrighted the song under his cousin, Guy Massey's name in 1924, got 95% of the royalties. Massey who apparently gave Dalhart the song, got 5%. By the end of 1925 The Prisoner's Song backed by the Wreck of the Old 97 was a multi-million seller and Dalhart became rich. The arranger of the song, Shilkret claimed writing credits and a lawsuit followed but Shilkret never received royalties.
Early country versions include: Burnett & Rutherford, "Meet Me in the Moonlight" (Supertone 9443, 1929); Carter Family, "Meet Me by Moonlight Alone" (Victor 23731, 1928) (Perfect 7-01-54/7-05-55, both 1937) and Bradley Kincaid, "I Wish I Had Someone to Love Me" (Vocalion 02686, 1934).
R. Matteson 2014]
MEET ME IN THE MOONLIGHT
1. I'm going to jail tomorrow
Leaving my darling alone;
With the cold iron bars around me
And my head on a pillow of stone.
CHORUS: Then meet me tonight, Darling, meet me
Meet me in the moonlight alone;
For I have a sad story to tell you
And it must be told in the moonlight alone.
2. Your parents are cruel, so cruel;
They drive me away from your door!
If I had my time to go over,
I would never go there any more.
3. I wish I had some one to love me;
Some one to call me her own,
Someone to always be with me,
For I'm tired of living alone.
4. I wish I had wings like an angel,
Across those high walls I would fly;
I'd fly to the arms of my darling,
And there I'd be willing to die.
This song was remembered by Mrs. McDowell from her youth, except the last stanza, which was supplied by Mrs Cora Womack. Mrs. Womack remembered all the remainder ln substantially the same form as above, including the tune, though she calls the song, "The Prisoner."