The Knightman- As sung by Maxine Hight, Fayetteville, Arkansas on November 18, 1959
[From Max Hunter collection. There are two recordings of Maxine Hite (Hunter spells her name, Hight, incorrectly). It was first collected by Mary Celeste Parler in April 1959. The informant commented to Parler,
"My mother is Mrs. George Ripley, Sr. She told me that when she was a girl, living in Missouri, she heard her cousins sing this song. They were named Enlow; and at that time they went out to Oklahoma, where she also went when she was just about nine."
R .Matteson 2011, 2014]
THE KNIGHTMAN- As sung by Maxine Hight, Fayetteville, Arkansas on November 18, 1959; Max Hunter Folk Song Collection
Listen: http://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/songinformation.aspx?ID=0422
VERSE 1: Where you going my little lad
Said the knightman as he rode
I am going to my school
Said the boy an' still he stood
Said the boy an' still he stood
VERSE 2: What is it that you have there
Said the knightman as he rode
T'is my dinner an' my books
Said the boy an' still he stood
Said the boy an' still he stood
VERSE 3: Who's fine cattle are those behind
Said the knightman as he rode
T'is my Fathers cattle an' mine
Said the boy an' still he stood
Said the boy an' still he stood
VERSE 4: Which of them do you call yours
Said the knightman as he rode
Those that wear their tails behind
Said the boy an' still he stood
Said the boy an' still he stood
VERSE 5: Who's fine castle is that behind
Said the knightman as he rode
T'is my Fathers castle an' mine
Said the boy an' still he stood
Said the boy an' still he stood
VERSE 6: I wish it were in a flame of fire
Said the knightman as he rode
Yes, an' you in the middle of it
Said the boy an' still he stood
Said the boy an' still he stood
VERSE 7: Who's fine river is that behind
Said the knightman as he rode
T'is my Fathers river an' mine
Said the boy an' still he stood
Said the boy an' still he stood
VERSE 8: I wish you were in the middle of it
Said the knightman as he rode
Yes, an' a good boat under me
Said the boy an' still he stood
Said the boy an' still he stood
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Coll. by Max Hunter Mrs. Maxine Hite Dubbed by M.C. Parler Prairie Grove, Ark Nov. 1959 Reel 347, Item 9
The Nightman (I have already recorded this song. It may he found on on Reel , but here Mrs. Hite has more at the beginning of the song, so I'll transcribe it again. MCP)
Where're you going,my little lad?
Said the nightman as he rode.
I am going to my school,
Said the boy and still he stood,
Said the boy and still he stood.
(In all subsequent verses, lines 2, 4, qnd 5 are as in stanza 1.)
What is it that you have there?
'Tis my dinner and my books.
Whose fine cattle are those behind,
'Tis my father's cattle and mine.
Which of them do you call yours?
Those that wear their tails behind.
Whose fine castle is that behind?
'Tis my father's castle and mine.
I wish it were in a flame of fire.
Yes, and you in the middle of it.
Whose fine river is that behind?
'Tis my father's river and mine.
I wish you were in the middle of it.
Yes, and a good boat under me.