The Old Man in the Old Country, Ingenthron (Mo.) c.1890 Randolph Version E
[From Ozark Folksongs, Randolph 1946, Vol. 1, Ballads. Randolph says, "Sung by Mr. Charles Ingenthron, Walnut Shade, Mo. Sept. 4, 1941. He learned 'The Old Man in the Old Country' in Taney County, Mo., about 1890."
Randolph collected other ballads from Ingenthron. A commercial recording of Ingenthron's version has been made but I don't have a copy.
R. Matteson 2011, 2014]
E. "The Old Man in the Old Country," Ingenthron (Mo.) c.1890 Randolph Version E
1. There was an old man in the old country,
Most gentily,
There was an old man in the old country,
And he had daughters one, two, three,
Oh dear me.
2. There was a young scarf went a-courtin' there,
Most gentily,
There was a young scarf went a-courtin' there,
And he courted the younger of the fair,
Oh dear me.
3. He bought the younger a fine gold ring,
Most gentily,
He bought the younger a fine gold ring,
And for the older, not one thing,
Oh dear me.
4. Oh sister, will you take a walk with me?
Most gentily,
Oh sister, will you take a walk with me?
And we will see the greenwood tree,
Oh dear me.
5. As they went crossing the salt sea brim,
Most gentily,
As they went crossing the salt sea brim,
The older shoved the younger in,
Oh dear me.
6. Oh sister, will you reach me down your hand?
Most gentily,
Oh sister, will you reach me down your hand,
And you may have my house and land,
Oh dear me.
7. I will not reach You down my hand,
Most gentily,
I will not reach You down my hand
And I will not have your house and land,
Oh dear me.
8. Oh sister, will you reach me down your glove?
Most gentily,
Oh sister, will you reach me down your glove,
And you may have my own true love,
Oh dear me.
9. I will not reach you down my glove,
Most gentily,
I wilt not reach You down my glove,
And I will not have your own true love,
Oh dear me.
10. As she went a-floating down the mill pond,
Most gentily,
As she went a-floating down the mill pond,
The miller he took her to be a swan,
Oh dear me.
11. The miller throwed out his hook and line,
Most gentily,
The miller throwed out his hook and line
And caught her in the dress so fine,
Oh dear me.
12. The miller was hung in his own mill gate,
Most gentily,
The miller was hung in his own mill gate,
For the drowning of my sister Kate,
Oh dear me.