Merry Golden Tree- Trail (AR) 1942 Randolph E
[From Ozark Folksongs by Vance Randolph.]
E. "The Merry Golden Tree." Sung by Mrs. Olga Trail, Farmington, Ark. on Feb. 12, 1942. Mrs. Trail learned it from
Mrs. Maggie Chadwick, of Springdale, Ark., who called it "The Merry Golden Tree"'
There was a little ship and she sailed on the sea,
She went by the name of the Merry Golden Tree,
As she sailed on the lowlands lonesome low,
As she sailed on the lonesome sea.
She sailed to the west and she sailed to the east,
And there she espied the Turkey Shovelee,
As she sailed on the lowlands lonesome low,
As she sailed on the lonesome sea.
A little cappin' boy [2] he run upon the deck,
Saying captain, oh captain, what will you give me
If I sink her in the lowlands lonesome low,
If I sink her in the lonesome sea?
I will give you money and I will give you fee,
And I have a lovely daughter I'll marry unto thee,
If you'll sink her in the lowlands lonesome low,
If you'll sink her in the lonesome sea.
He had a little auger all made for the use,
He bored nine holes in her little hull at once,
And he sunk her in the lowlands lonesome low,
And he sunk her in the lonesome sea.
The boy bent his breast and away swum he,
He swum till he reached the Merry Golden Tree,
As she sailed on the lowlands lonesome low,
As she sailed on the lonesome sea.
Oh captain, oh captain, will you let me on board?
If you don't, you have broken your word,
For I've sunk her in the lowlands lonesome low,
For I've sunk her in the lonesome sea.
I'll neither give you money and I'll neither give you fee,
I'll not be as kind as I said I would be,
But I'll leave you in the lowlands lonesome low,
But I'll leave you in the lonesome sea.
If it weren't for the love I have for your men
I would do the same unto you as I did unto them,
I would sink you in the lowlands lonesome low,
I would sink you in the lonesome sea.
He fell upon his knees and down sunk he,
He bid farewell to the Merry Golden Tree,
For she left him in the lowlands lonesome low,
She left him in the lonesome sea.
1. cabin