Sailor Boy- May Kennedy McCord (MO) c.1958 Beers/Max Hunter D
[From Beers Family recording, "Walkie in the Parlor," Folkways FA 2376, LP (1960), trk# 7. An excerpt follows from a Sheri Cornman 1993 article which gives bio info about McCord. Liner notes also follow.
An earlier recording was made by Max Hunter on Sept. 23, 1958 with an additional verse. Hunter's title is more appropriate since the "Black is the Color" stanza is used at the opening and as a chorus. A version of the stanza was published in a Scottish chapbook in 1800 (see Sailing Trade, my B).
R. Matteson 2017]
McCord had many talents. She was a writer of the famous "Hillbilly Heartbeats" column which eventually became the name of her own radio show on the Ozarks own KWTO radio station. McCord also was a musician who played the guitar and sang folk songs. All of these talents, along with her caring personality, gave her the title of "Queen of the Ozarks." [Cornman]
SIDE I, Band 7: THE SAILOR BOY [liner notes]
A lovely "rockin' chair" sang given to Evelyne by May Kennedy McCord, great singer of Ozark mountain songs. This is one of two favorite songs of Mrs. McCord included in this album, and will be recognized by her many friends across the nation.
Sailor Boy- from May Kennedy McCord (1880-1979) of Springfield, Missouri about 1959. Recorded by Evelyn Beers in 1960. Recorded by Max Hunter in 1958, his version D.
CHORUS: Black, Black, was the color of my true love's hair,
His face was like some lily fair,
If ever he returns he will bring me joy,
For none can I love, but my sweet sailor Boy.
Oh father go build me a boat
That I may on the ocean float,
And I'll cry to the ships as they pass me by,
Oh say, have you see my sweet sailor boy.
Oh no, fair lady, that never could be,
For your lover was drowned in the deep gulf sea.
Nearby Rock Isle, as we passed by,
It was there that we lost your sweet sailor boy.
She stove her vessel into the rocks,
And we toot this poor lady's heart was broke.
She wrung her hands, and she tore her hair,
Just like someone in dark despair.
______________________________________________
Missouri State; Cat. #0242 (MFH #682) Max Hunter Folk Song Collection, version D
Black, Black, Was the Color of My True Loves Hair- As sung by May Kennedy McCord, Springfield, Missouri on September 23, 1958
VERSE 1
Black, black, was the color of my true loves hair
His face was like some lily fair
If ever he returns, he will bring me joy
For none can I love, but my sweet sailor boy
VERSE 2
O Father, O Father, go build me a boat
That I may on the ocean float
And I cry to the ships, as they pass me by
O say, have your seen my sweet sailor boy
VERSE 3
He build her a boat on the deep, deep main
And she spied three ships, coming out from Spain
And she cried to the captains, as they passed by
O say, have you seen my sweet sailor boy
VERSE 4
Black, black, was the color of my true loves hair
His face was like some lily fair
If ever he returns, he will bring me joy
For none can I love, but my sweet sailor boy
VERSE 5
Then the captain answered, that never can be
For your lover was drowned in the deep Gulf Sea
Near by Rock Isle, as we passed by
It was there that we lost your sweet sailor boy
VERSE 6
She stoved her vessel into the rocks
And we knew that this ladies heart was broke
She wrung her hands and tore her hair
Just like someone in deep despair
VERSE 7
Black, black, was the color of my true loves hair
His face was like some lily fair
If ever he returns, he will bring me joy
For none can I love, but my sweet sailor boy
VERSE 8
Go dig me a grave, both wide and deep
Place a marble stone at my head an' feet
And on my breast, place a snow white dove
To show to the world, that I died for love.
VERSE 9
Black, black, was the color of my true loves hair
His face was like some lily fair
If ever he returns, he will bring me joy
For none can I love, but my sweet sailor boy
________________________________
2nd recording by Hunter- transcription by Majors
Collected by Max Hunter (H-12) Sung by May Kennedy McCord of Springfield, Missouri on September 23, 1958
For Mary C. Parler Transcribed by Frances Majors
Reel 257-58, Item 5
Black, Black Was the Color of My True Love's Hair
CHORUS: Black, black was the color of my true love's hair;
His face was like some lily fair.
If ever he returns, he will bring me joy,
For none can I love but my sweet sailor boy.
Oh, father, oh, father, go build me a boat,
That I may on the ocean float;
And I cry to the ships as they pass me by,
Oh, say, have you seen my sweet sailor boy? (Chorus)
He built her a boat on the deep, deep main,
And she spied three ships coming out from Spain;
And she cried to the captains, as they passed by,
Oh, say, have you seen my sweet sailor boy? (Chorus)
Then the captain answered,That never can be;
For your lover was drowned in the deep Gulf Sea;
Near by Rock Isle, as we passed by,
It was there that we lost your sweet sailor boy.
She stoved her vessel into the rocks,
And we knew that this lady's heart was broke.
She wrung her hands and tore her hair,
Just like someone in deep despair. (Chorus)
Go dig me a grave both wide and deep;
Place a marble stone at my head and feet.
And on my breast, place a snow white dove,
To show to the world that I died for love. (Chorus)