Endurance- Nathan Hicks (NC) circa 1936
[Taken from the manuscript book of Maurice Matteson, my grandfather, who collected it from Nathan Hicks circa 1933. The title, which is similar to shape-note titles.. Published in my "Appalachian Folk Songs for Piano and Voice" (by Richard L. Matteson Jr.) Mel Bay, 1996. Two additional verses were recently found in a MS book and added below. My notes about a recording of this version follow.
R. Matteson 2012, 2015]
Nathan Hicks circa 1934
Recording "G Major" One Part, sheet music F major. Whether this is a ballad is conjecture since there's not much of a story here. The first two verses are floating verses found in Appalachian blues. The 3rd and 4th verses, however, are part of the "Gallows Pole" Child 95 and this could be considered a related version of the Child ballad. It was taken from the manuscript book of Maurice Matteson, my grandfather, who collected it from Nathan Hicks circa 1933. The title, which is similar to shape-note titles, was likely supplied by Maurice Matteson. Published by Richard L. Matteson Jr. in his "Appalachian Folk Songs for Piano and Voice" Mel Bay, 1996. [Two additional verses were recently found in a MS book and added below]
A similar opening stanza is found in George Gibson's "Old Rueben":
And the day I left my mother's house
Was the day I left my home,
And the day you turned your back on me
Was the day you lost a friend.
Performed on Nathan Hicks' dulcimer made in early 1930s. Performers: Richard Matteson -dulcimer, with Kara Pleasants- vocal, and Zach Matteson- fiddle, in December 2011. Listen: [Endurance- 2011] Recorded by Bob Hitchcock.
My grandfather collected a more complete version in 1933 titled "O judges" that was published in his short book, "Beech Mountain Folk-Songs and Ballads."
Lyrics: Endurance- Nathan Hicks
MP3: [Endurance- 2011]
The day I left my mother's house,
Was the day I left my home;
The day I left my mother's house,
Was a cold December day.
The sky was dark and cloudy,
To me it looked like rain;
I wished fro a friend in this whole wide world,
Just one who knew my name.
I walked out to the roadside,
To see the passers by;
And there I saw the woman I love,
She rode for many a mile.
"O you have brought me silver,
Or have you brought me gold.
Have you brought me nothing,
To keep me from the gallows pole?"
["I have not brought you silver,
I have not brought you gold.
Nor have I rode for many a mile,
To see you on the the gang[1] once more.
But I have bought you freedom,
I hold it in my hand."
She threw her arms around his neck,
Says, "I love this highway[2] man."]
1. gallows pole
2. This is the ending sung by Charlie Poole (Highway Man, 1926 recording]