Murdered Sweetheart- Mrs Riggins (AR) 1964 Parler G
[Ozark Folk Song Collection- online; Reel 440 Item 12. Collected by Dana Durst and Ellen Eagleson for Mary C. Parler.
Listen:
http://digitalcollections.uark.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/OzarkFolkSong/id/2462/rec/11
R. Matteson 2106]
The Murdered Sweetheart- sung by Mrs. Ollie Riggins of Fayetteville, Ark. on April, 1964.
My tender parents brought me up,
provided for me well,
An in the city of Lingston[1] Town
they placed me in a mill.
Twas there I spied a pretty fair maid
on whom I cast my eyes,
I told her that I'd marry her
but she believed I lied.
I went into her sister's house
at eight o'clock one night,
And little did that creature know
at her I held my spite.
I ask her if she'd take a walk
a little piece away,
That she and I might have a talk
about our wedding day.
We strolled together side by side
til we came to a silent place,
I taken a stick from off of the fence
and struck her in the face.
Down on her bended knees she fell
and did for mercy cry,
Oh Willie, Oh Willie, don't murder me now
for I am not ready to die.
I paid but little attention to that,
I only did beat her the more,
Until I saw her innocent blood
that I could never restore.
I wound my hands in her coal black hair
as if to hide my sin,
I drew her to the river side
and there I threw her in.
As I returned back to the mill
I met my servant John,
He asked me why I looked so pale
and yet so very warm[2].
I lit my candle, went in my room,
as if to take my rest,
It seemed like me like the fire of Hell
was burning in my breast.
Come all young men take warning take
and unto your lovers prove true,
And never let the Devil
get the upper hand of you.
1. apparently an abbreviation of Lexington- Lexton see also Fred High's version.
2. wan