Diverus and Lazurus- Wilson (WV) pre1975 Gainer
[From Folk Songs from the West Virginia Hills; Gainer, 1975. His notes follow. Gainer matter-of-factly says, this has not been "reported previously in West Virginia"-- and it hasn't been reported in the United States either-- at least not a version based on Child 56 as his is. Does Gainer make an announcement about his great find? Are there interviews with the informant? Does he write to prestigious journals? No and no and no, because this is a ballad re-creation.
R. Matteson 2014]
DIVERUS AND LAZARUS
(CHILD 56, "DIVES AND LAZARUS")
This ballad has not been reported previously in West Virginia. It is the story of the Gospel parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus, as sung by Aunt Mary Wilson, of Gilmer County.
1 One day rich Diverus made a feast,
And all his friends were there,
There was wine and meat for ev'ryone,
And plenty of bread to spare.
2 Poor Lazarus came to Diverus' door,
And laid him down and down,
He cried, "Some meat, Brother Diverus,
Please give unto the poor."
3 "You ain't my brother, Lazarus,
A-begging at my door,
I have no meat nor drink for You,
Nor anything for the poor."
4 Then Diverus sent out his hungry dogs
To drive poor Lazarus away,
But the dogs would not bite Lazarus,
But they licked his sores away.
5 And then it happened on a day
That poor Lazarus died;
An angel came from heaven on high
His soul therein to guide.
6 The angel said to Lazarus,
"Now come to heaven with me,
There is a place prepared for uou,
To sit on an angel's knee."
7 And then rich Diverus also died,
His soul was carried to hell;
And he must be in awful fire,
Forever there to dwell.