She wrang her hands- Baber (MO) 1922 Randolph B
[From Vance Randolph, Ozark Folksongs, Vol. 1, British Ballads and Songs. Randolph reviews the various English and American texts, and notes that "Some very similar lines are found in "Captain, Oh Captain" as recorded phonographically by Vernon Dalhart." Only the first two verses of Dalhart's version are similar to tradition, the others are from an arranger.
Randolph's master title for Sailor Boy (Sailor's Sweetheart) is vague and usually used for other similar but different ballads.
R. Matteson 2017]
B. [She wrang her hands] Sung by Mrs. Carrie Baber, Pineville, Mo., April 17, 1922.
She wrang her hands into her hair
Just like a lady in despair
Against a rock she dashed her boat,
As o'er the ocean she did float.
She viewed his corpse in ever' part
With meltin' tears an' breakin 'heart.
Go dig my grave both wide an' deep,
Place a marble stone at my head an' feet,
An' on my breast put a turtle dove,
To tell the world that I died for love.