Collected by Sue Jackson For M.C. Parler Transcribed by Linda Humphrey
Sung by Mrs. Pearl Brewer Ravenden Springs, Ark. Feb. 1, 1964
Reel 431 Item 9
The Green Wood Side
There was a maid who had two babes,
All alone and alone.
She laid those babes down hand in hand And witha knife cut off their heads,
All down by the green wood side.
She buried those babes both under a stone,
All alone and alone.
And prayed to the Lord It would never be known,
All down by the green wood side.
This maid was passing by one day,
All alone and alone.
She saw those babes go out for play,
All down by the green wood side.
Oh, babes, oh, babes, if you were mine,
All alone and alone.
I'd dress you up in silk so fine,
All down by the green wood side.
Oh, mother, dear mother, we once were yours,
All alone and alone.
You neither gave us coarse nor fine;
You killed and buried us under a stone
And prayed to the Lord it would never he known,
All down by the green wood side.
For seven long years you shall hear a hell,
All alone and alone.
At the end of seven years You shall land in Hell,
All down by the green wood side.