Careless Love- Lunsford (NC) 1929
[From "30 and 1 Folk Songs from the Southern Mountains" Lunsford, 1929. His version was recorded by Library of Congress in 1935. This version was reprinted by Botkin (Treasury of American Folklore) and adapted by Burl Ives in his songbook.
R. Matteson 2017]
CARELESS LOVE- as published by Bascom Lamar Lunsford in 1929.
It's on this railroad bank I stand,
It's on this railroad bank I stand,
It's on this railroad bank I stand,
All for the love of a railroad man.
How I wish that train would come,
How I wish that train would come,
How I wish that train would come,
And take me back where I come from.
Love, oh love, oh careless love
Love, oh love, oh careless love
Love, oh love, oh careless love
See what careless love has done.
When my apron strings will bow,
When my apron strings will bow,
When my apron strings will bow,
You'll pass my door and say "hello."
But when my apron strings won't pin,
When my apron strings won't pin,
When my apron strings won't pin,
You'll pass my door an' won't come in.
Love, oh love, oh careless love
Love, oh love, oh careless love
Love, oh love, oh careless love
See what careless love has done.
It's caused me to weep it's caused me to mourn,
It's caused me to weep it's caused me to mourn,
It's caused me to weep it's caused me to mourn,
It's caused me to leave my happy home.
What do you think my mama'll say,
What do you think my mama'll say,
What do you think my mama'll say,
When she hears I've gone astray.
Love, oh love, oh careless love
Love, oh love, oh careless love
Love, oh love, oh careless love
See what careless love has done.