The Four Brothers- Playter (Missouri) 1920; 1890s
[From Randolph; Ozark Folksongs, 1946.
R. Matteson 2012, 2014]
THE FOUR BROTHERS- Sung by Mr. Frank Playter, St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 23, 1920; learned from relatives near Harrison Ark., in the 90s.
I have four bothers over the sea,
Perry, Merry, Dictum an' Domminy,
They each sent a present unto me.
Party, cartum, para decentum,
Perry, Merry, Dictum an' Domminy.
The first sent a blanket without any thread,
The next sent a book that couldn't be read.
The next sent a cherry without any stone,
The next sent a chicken without any bones.
Blanket's in the fleece, it ain't got no thread;
When the book's in the press, it can not be read.
Cherry's in the blossom, it ain't got no stone.
Chicken's in the egg, it ain't got no bones.
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