The Cruel Mother- Smith (NS) 1950 Creighton A
[From Creighton and Senior, Traditional Songs from Nova Scotia, 1950. Creighton's notes follow.
R. Matteson 2014]
The Cruel Mother
[ Child 20 ]
While these are interesting variants, by far the most complete one I have found anywhere is in S.B.N.S., p.3, where two superstitions regarding the incriminating penknife are given: (a) the more she rubbed the blood was seen, and (b) the farther she threw it the nearer it came. It also has the seven-year penances. Since it was published Mr. Henneberry, the singer, added another stanza, which should follow verse 6:
"She buried them under a marble stone,
Now she says I will be home."
In the variants published here note particularly A, verse 4, and B, verse 4.
English texts: Roberts, p.495 Novello's School Songs, Book 261; Sharp's English Folk-songs, vol. 1, p.35; Williams, p.94; Journal, vol.2, p. 10, and vol.3, p.70.
American texts: Cox, pp.211,30; Davis, pp. 133-186; Fuson, p. 59 [This is a version of Child 79]; Sharp, I, p.56ff.; Mackenzie, p.12; Gerould, pp.50, 63, 140, 141, 142, 155; T.F.S.N.S., with Mr. Henneberry's words and the melody as sung by Mrs. John Smith, A; Barry, pp.80-93; Scarborough, pp. 169-171.
Newfoundland TEXTS: Karpeles, vol. I; Greenleaf and Mansfield, p. 15.
Library of Congress recordings: Mrs. Dunean, Mr. Ben Henneberry and Nina Bartley Finn.
Cruel Mother [A] Sung by Mrs. John Smith, Chezzelcook. Compare Child, C, D, E, F, G and I.
[Music]
1. There was a lady came from York
All alone and aloney-o,
She fell in love with her father's clerk,
Down by the green-wood sidey-o.
2. She leaned her back against an oak
When first it bent and then it broke.
3. She leaned herself against a thorn
There her two pretty babes were born.
4. She had nothing to wrap them in
But her apron, it was thin.
5. She took her penknife keen and sharp
And she pierced it through their innocent hearts.
6. As she entered her father's hall
She saw those pretty babes playing ball.
7. "Babes, oh babes, if you were mine
I would dress you up in silks so fine."
8. "Oh mother, oh mother, when we were thine
Why didn't you dress us in silks so fine?
9. "But you took your penknife keen and sharp
And you pierced it through our innocent hearts."
10. "Oh pretty maidens can you tell
Whether I'll reign in heaven or hell? "
11 "Then you took your penknife (long) (keen) and sharp,
And pierced us babies' tender hearts."
12. "Oh mother mother for your sin
Hell's gates will be opened and you shoved in."