[What Blood?] Edward- Gibson (NC) 1918 Sharp J
[My title. From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians by Sharp/Karpeles I, 1932, with music.
R. Matteson 2012, 2014]
[What Blood?]- Sung by Mrs. Mary Gibson at Marion, N.C., Sept. 3, 1918
1 What blood is that all on your shirt?
O son, come tell to me.
It is the blood of the old grey mare
That ploughed the corn for me, O me,
That ploughed the corn for me.
2 It is too red for the old grey mare.
0 son, etc.
It is the blood of the old grey hound
That run the deer for me, etc.
3 It is too red for the old grey hound.
It is the blood of the little guinea-pig
That eat the corn for me.
4 It is too red for the little guinea-pig.
It is the blood of my oldest brother
That travelled along with me.
5 What did you fall out about?
About a little holly bush
That might have made a tree.
6 What will you do when your father comes home?
I'll set my foot in a bunkum boat
And sail all on the sea.
7 What will you do with your pretty little wife?
I'll take her on a bunkum boat
And sail along with me.
8 What will you do with your oldest son?
I'll leave him here for you to raise
And dance around your knees.
9 What will you do with your oldest daughter?
I'll leave her here for you to raise
For to remember me.