What Blood?- Hick (MS) 1928 Hudson A
[My title. From Folksongs of Mississippi; Hudson, 1936, version A, dated by Taylor- 1928. Hudson's B version was published in the JAF in 1926.
R. Matteson 2014]
A. [What Blood?] Copy given me by Miss Lois Womble, Water Valley, who obtained it from the singing of Mrs. R. E. Hick, Water Valley. No local title.
1 "What blood is that blood on your sleeve?
My son, come tell it to me."
"It is the blood of the old gray hound
Who drove the fox for me."
2 "The blood is too red for the blood of a hound;
My son, come tell it to me."
"It is the blood of the old gray mare
Who plowed the field for me."
3 "The blood is too red for the blood of a mare;
My son, come tell it to me."
"It is the blood of my little brother
Who rode along with me."
4 "What did you and your little brother fall out about?
My son, come tell it to me."
"About a holly bush
That might have been a tree."
5 "What will you do when your good old father comes home?
My son, come tell it to me."
"I'll go away from this country
And sail across the sea."
6 "What will you do with your pretty little house and lot?
My son, come tell it to me."
"Give it to my good old father
To bring my children up for me."
7 "What will you do with your pretty little wife?
My son, come tell it to me."
"I'll take her with me and sail away
Across the deep blue sea."