The Two Brothers- Swetnam (Miss.) 1928 Hudson B
[From: Specimens of Mississippi folk-lore by Arthur Palmer Hudson, Mississippi Folklore Society - 1928; also in Folksongs of Mississippi.
R. Matteson 2012, 2014]
B. "The Two Brothers." - Swetnam (Miss.) 1928. From a copy made by Mr. George F. Swetnam, University, from the singing of his mother, Mrs. Flora Stafford, Swetman, who learned the ballad from her mother in Ky. Hudson B
He drew his sword all from his side,
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He pierced it through his own brother's heart,
And out the blood did pour.
"Brother, dear, take off my shirt,
Tear it from gore to gore;
And then tie up my bleeding wounds,
That they may bleed no more.
"Brother dear, when you go home,
My mother will ask for me.
Tell her I'm playing with my schoolmates
And will be at home early.
"Brother dear, when you go home,
My father will ask for me.
Tell him I'm gone to the north countrie
To learn my grammarie.
"Brother dear, when you go home
My sister will ask for me.
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"Brother dear, when you go home,
My truelove will ask for me.
Tell her I'm dead and in my cold grave laid
No more to see of me."