299. Lillian Brown

 


299

Lillian Brown

From Mamie Mansfield, Durham, c. 1922-23. Recorded as sung by F.
Coleman, 1922. Contributor's note: "Lillian Brown committed suicide by
drinking a bottle of carbolic acid on Short St. in West Durham, N. C,
ni 1914. To get the poison, she claimed she wanted it for house clean-
ing. She took the poison about five o'clock and died at seven."

1 While the sun in his sinking beauty
Was shining brightly in the West

A fair fortune maiden was thinking
How soon she would meet her death.

2 Lillian Brown from Stanent [Staunton?]. Virginia.
Was boarding near the West Durham Mill.
While tired of life and all her troubles

Drank poison from which a bottle filled.

 

God only knows how this girl sufifered ;
.She paid an awful debt to be free.
After drinking from the bottle its contents,
Sho said, 'Dear Lord, have mercy on me.'

 

690 NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLORE