The Cruel Brother- Poindexter (Miss) 1928 Hudson A
[From: Specimens of Mississippi Folk-lore by Arthur Palmer Hudson, Mississippi Folklore Society - 1928; Also in Folksongs of Mississippi.
R. Matteson 2014]
A. "The Cruel Brother." Text recovered by Miss Lois Womble, Water Valley, from the singing of Miss Mamie Poindexter, Pine Valley. Hudson A
Two little boys were going to school;
They were playmates for to be.
Willie said to Johnnie,
"Can you throw a rock or toss a ball?"
"Oh, no, dear brother, I am too small
To throw a rock or toss a ball."
Willie took out his little dirt (dirk?) knife,
Which was so keen and sharp.
He pierced it through little Johnnie's side;
He pierced it through his heart.
Willie took off his big white shirt
And tore it from gore to gore;
He tied it around little Johnnie's side,
Still bleeding more and more.
"Come pick me up, dear brother, I say,
And lay me out so straight;
Come pick me up, dear brother, I say,
And bury me by the gate.
"Go meet my mother on her way,
Who looks so unconcerned;
Tell her I'm gone to the old churchyard
My prayer books for to learn."