Three Crows- (MS) c1923 Hudson- Bronson 19
[My date. From Bronson, as given by Hudson. One of several versions with the "chewing gum" verse- a late minstrel adaptation.
R. Matteson 2014]
[The Three Crows] - collected by Hudson 1937, No. 1. Probably from Oxford, Miss., 1923-1930. Based on "Sweet Adeline," the last half simplified. see also in the Pines and Morris's version from Florida which mention "chewing gum."
There were three crows in a hickory tree,
And they were black as crows could be.
Said one black crow to the other two,
"I wish we had some gum to chew."
"In yonder field lies an old gray horse,
And we can chew and chew and chew."