Collected by Helen McAllister For Mary Celestia Parler Transcribed by Helen McAllister
Sung by Mrs. M. D. Meiser Springdale, Arkansas July 30, 1959
and Sue Holley
Reel 291, Item 3
Poor Old Slave
'Twas just a year ago today,
That I remember well,
I sat down by poor Nellie's side,
A story she did tell.
'Twas 'bout a poor unhappy slave Who lived for many a year,
But now he's dead and in his grave,
No master does he fear.
Chorus:
The poor old slave has gone to rest;
We know that he is free;
Disturb him not but let him rest Way down in Tennessee.
She took me arm, we walked along Down thro' an open field,
And there she paused to rest a while And to his grave did steal.
She knelt down on that little mound,
And softly whispered there,
Come to me father, tis thy child,
And gently dropped a tear.
Chorus
But since that time how things have changed. Poor Nellie that was my bride,
Now lies beneath the cold cold sod,
With her father by her side.
I planted on the little mound A weeping willow tree,
And bathed its roots with many a tear That it might shelter me.
Chorus.
