George Collins- Ferrell (TN) 1963 Wolf
[From: The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection; Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas.
R. Matteson 2015]
GEORGE COLLINS- Sung by: James Clifton Ferrell; Recorded in Memphis, TN 6/30/63
To listen: http://web.lyon.edu/wolfcollection/songs/ferrellgeorge1271.html
George Collins rode home one cold winter night.
George Collins rode home, so fine.
George Collins rode home one cold winter night.
He taken sick and died.
When little Mary heard of that,
She weeped, she mourned, she cried.
When little Mary heard of that,
She laid herself [her silk] aside.
"Mary, oh Mary, what makes you weep so?
There's plenty more boys than George."
"Oh Mother, oh mother, he has my heart,
And now he's dead and gone.
"Take down the coffin, take off the lid,
Lay back the linen so fine,
So I may kiss his cold pale lips,
For I'm sure he'll never kiss mine.
"I wish I was a little dove;
I'd fly from pine to pine.
While others weep for their own true love,
I'm sure I'll weep for mine."