The Old Woman Lived on a Sea Shore- Mrs. Pearl Brewer, Pochahantas, Arkansas 1958
[From Max Hunter Folk Song Collection, online w/recording. Minor editing for spelling and punctuation.
R. Matteson 2011, 2014]
The Old Woman Lived on a Sea Shore- As sung by Mrs. Pearl Brewer, Pochahantas, Arkansas on November 12, 1958
Listen: http://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/songinformation.aspx?ID=0282
VERSE 1: There was an old woman lived on the sea shore
Bow down
There was an old woman lived on the sea shore
Lord, have mercy on me
There was an old woman lived on the sea shore
She had some daughters, two or more
Saying, I'll be true to my lover
My love'll be true to me
VERSE 2: The youngest one, she had a beau
Bow down
The youngest one, she had a beau
Lord, have mercy on me
The youngest one, she had a beau
An' the older one, she didn't have none
Saying, I'll be true to my lover
My love'll be true to me
VERSE 3: He gave to her a ten gold ring
Bow down
He gave to her a ten gold ring
Lord, have mercy on me
He gave to her a ten gold ring
An' he didn't give the older one, a thing
Saying, I'll be true to my lover
My love'll be true to me
VERSE 4: O sister, O sister, let's walk the sea shore
Bow down
O sister, O sister, let's walk the sea shore
Lord, have mercy on me
O sister, O sister, let's walk the sea shore
And see the ships as they sail o'er
Saying, I'll be true to my lover
My love'll be true to me
VERSE 5: As they went walking along the stream
Bow down
As they went walking along the stream
Lord, have mercy on me
As they went walking along the stream
Th older one pushed the young one in
Saying, I'll be true to my lover
My love'll be true to me
VERSE 6: O sister, O sister, just lend me your hand
Bow down
O sister, O sister, just lend me your hand
Lord, have mercy on me
O sister, O sister, just lend me your hand
I'll will to you my house and land
Saying, I'll be true to my lover
My love'll be true to me
VERSE 7: She went on swimming, like a swan
Bow down
She went on swimming, like a swan
Lord, have mercy on me
She went on swimming, like a swan
And swum to the gates of the miller's pond
Saying, I'll be true to my lover
My love'll be true to me
VERSE 8: The miller threw out his grab boat
Bow down
The miller threw out his grab boat
Lord, have mercy on me
The miller threw out his grab boat
And got poor Kate on shore once't more
Saying, I'll be true to my lover
My love'll be true to me
VERSE 9:
She gave to him her ten gold ring
Bow down
She gave to him her ten gold ring
Lord, have mercy on me
She gave to him her ten gold ring
And he pushed her back in the brook again
Saying, I'll be true to my lover
My love'll be true to me