The Cruel Mother- Newcomb (OK) c1920 Moore B
[From BALLADS AND FOLK SONGS OF THE SOUTHWEST- Moores, 1964, version A. My date, 1964 is much too late for this ballad which was probably learned before 1920. Notes by the Moores follow.
R. Mateson 2014]
11. The Cruel Mother
This ballad (Child, No. 20) was first printed in the latter part of the eighteenth century in Great Britain. It is very widespread in Germany, and was found in Denmark in 1820. For a complete history of it, see Child, p. 218-27; for texts and other references: Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, 80-93; Cox, 29-30; creighton and Senior, 17-20; Davis, 133-36; Eddy, 24; Greenleaf and Mansfield, 15-1 6; Journal, vol. XXV, 183 (Mackenzie), vol. xxx, 293 (cox), vol. XLV, 159 (cox); McGill, 83; Mackenzie, No. 3; Mackenzie, Guest, 104; Morris, 250-54; Motherwell, II, 31-32; Randolph, I, 73-74; Scarborough, song catcher, 169-71; and Sharp, I, 56-62.
B. The Cruel Mother- sung by Mrs. Daisy Newcomb of Pryor. Born at Green Forest, Arkansas, Mr. Newcomb moved to Indian Territory in 1903, settling at Pryor.
As I was going to my father's house,
Alone, alone and lonely,
Two naked babes were walking alone,
Down by the green river side-y.
"Dear little babes, if you was mine,"
Alone, alone and lonely,
"I'd dress you up in silk so fine."
Down by the green river side-y.
"O, dear mother, when we were thine,"
Alone, alone and lonely,
"You neither dressed us coarse nor fine."
Down by the green river side-y.
"Dear little babes, can you tell,"
Alone, alone and lonely,
"How long on earth I am to dwell?"
Down by the green river side-y.
"Seven long years on earth to dwell,"
Alone, alone and lonely,
"The rest of your life you'll spend in hell."
Down by the green river side-y.