Bluegrass Messengers

B. "A Little Boy Lost His Ball." Obtained from Mrs. Mary Tucker, Varnell, Georgia, 1929. Mrs. Tucker is the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Harmon, formerly of Cade's Cove, Tennessee.

1. On one dark and misty day
Two little boys went to play;
They bounced their ball, they bounced it high, they bounced it low;
It rolled into a gypsy's door, where no one was allowed to go.

2. There was a lady in her silk so fine:
"Come in, little boy, the ball shall be thine."
"I can't come in," the little boy said,
"For I have been told that you're out of your head."

3. First, she showed him a blood-red cherry,
And then a gold-diamond ring;
Then she showed him a big red apple,
To get the little boy in.

4. Then she tuk him by the hand,
And led him through the hall.
She led him to the cellar
Where no one could hear his call.

5.  She called for a napkin
And then for a pin;
Then she called for a butcher knife
To carve his little heart in.

6. "Young lady, please spare me my life,
As it is in your hands
And, if I live to make a man,
My riches will be at your demand."

7. "I have got you now, you need not cry,
No one can hear your call,
I rather have your own heart's blood,
Than all the world of gold."

8. "Well, then, when I am dead,
Place a Bible at my head, and a prayer-book at my feet;
If my little play-mates call for me,
Please tell them I am a-sleep."