My Bonny Bon Boy- James Cleveland (NY) c.1970
[Gwilym Davies Colletion US trip 1997-1998,
R. Matteson 2018]
My Bonny, Bon Boy- sung by James Cleveland from his mother Sara Cleveland of Brant Lake, NY; c. 1970, recorded c. 1997 by Gwilym Davies.
"What had you for your dinner, my bonny bon boy,
What had you for your dinner, my comfort and joy?"
"O eels fried in butter, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sickened to my heart and I want to lie down."
"What will you leave your brother, my bonny bon boy,
What will you leave your brother, my comfort and joy?"
"O my horse and my saddle mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sickened to my heart and I want to lie down."
"What will you leave your father, my bonny bon boy,
What will you leave your father, my comfort and joy?"
"O my house and my lands, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sickened to my heart and I want to lie down."
"What will you leave your mother, my bonny bon boy,
What will you leave your mother, my comfort and joy?"
"O, the gates of heaven open, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sickened to my heart and I want to lie down."
"What will you leave your wife, my bonny bon boy,
What will you leave your wife, my comfort and joy?"
"The gates to hell wide open, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sickened to my heart and I want to lie down."