The Two Sisters- Mitchell (NC) 1918- Sharp H
[Version H in Cecil Sharp and Maud Karpeles, English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, 1932. It's one of fourteen versions published there. Here's the music and text:
R. Matteson 2011, 2014]
THE TWO SISTERS- Sung by Mrs. EFFIE MITCHELL at Burnsville, N. C , Sept. 27, 1918.
1. There was an old man lived in the West,
Bow down, bow down,
There was an old man lived in the West,
Bow unto me.
There was an old man lived in the West,
He liked the youngest sister best.
True, true, true to my love,
My love will be true to me.
2. He gave the youngest a Gilbern hat;
The oldest sister didn't much like that.
3. He gave the youngest a gay gold ring;
The oldest sister didn't much like that.
4. It's come dear sister, let's take a walk;
All down yon green river-side.
5. The oldest sister pushed the youngest in.
She first did float and then did sink.
6 Pull me out, pull me out, I'll give you my cloak.
I won't pull you out unless you give me your love.
7 She swum on down to the miller's gate,
. . . .
8 The miller cast about his hook,
And caught her in her petticoat.
9 He robbed her of her gay gold ring,
And then he pushed her in again.
10 This old miller was hung at the gate,
And the oldest sister was burned at the stake.