Mrs. Anna M. Pearcy Greenwood, Ark.
Oct. 18, 1958
Reel 313, Item 6
And my voice is getting low.
I have something I must tell you,
Sister dear, before I go.
Sister dear, your Arthur's missing,
But you hope to meet him still,
Hope that some day you will see him Sister dear, you never will.
Him you loved, and him I hated.
Hated, why I do not know for sure.
But to see him wed my sister Was more than I could endure.
So I chanced one eve in Autumn When the pale moon dimly shone Down beside the rolling river I met Arthur all alone.
Words that passed, I don't remember But I in a passion flew And I drew my sword and dagger Then and there I Arthur slew.
Then I thought of you my sister!
Thought of how you'd be alone.
And ten thousand world's I'd have given To have undone the deed I'd done.
But I found that all the weeping,
All the tears that I could shed,
Would not bring life to your Arthur Lying there so cold and dead.
So, I took his lifeless body,
Threw it o'er the river side,
And I leave the world to wonder What became of Arthur Clyde.
You'll forgive me won't you, sister? For this awful deed I've done.
Speak! I cannot live much longer Life's free road is almost run.
Collected by Mary C. Parler
Arthur Clyde I am dying, sister, dying!
-more-You will meet your Clyde in heaven Where there are no tears nor pain. You will meet your Clyde in Heaven But me you'll never meet again.
Arthur Clyde Reel 313, Item 6 Continued
Learned from Helen Ruth Brand, June 8, 1928. Lead Hill, Arkansas.