Collected by Parler In Folklore Class
Ann Hankins Fayetteville, Ark January 14, 1960
Reel 361, Item 15
Down in the Tennessee Mountains (Zeb Tourney's Girl)
"I heard my parents sing this a long time ago. They learned it from Robert Puryear,who lived in Blackjack, Ark. about twenty or thirty years ago."
Down in the Tennessee mountains,
Away from the sins of this world,
Dan Kelley's son leaning there on his gun,
A-thinkin of Zeb Tourney's girl.
Dan was a hot-blooded youngster,
His pap raised him steady and right,
He had some fun from the day he was born,
He'd shoot every Tourney on sight.
Powder and shot for the Tourneys Don't save a hair on their head,
Dan Kelley cried as he lay down and died,
With young Danny there by his bed.
Dan took the oath to his pappy,
Swore he would kill every one,
But his head was a-whirl with his love for that girl As he loaded his double-barreled gun.
Shot ringin' out on the mountain,
Shot ringin' out on the hill.,
(Hums this line)
As he started to slaughter and kill.
(Two lines she doesn't know)
Dan killed the clan, shot em down to a man,
But he brought back old Zeb Tourney's girl.
