George Collins- Richardson (SC) 1937 Lomax/Joyner
[From: Recording by John A. Lomax. Library of Congress, 1937. Transcribed by C.W. Joyner in South Carolina Ballads.
R. Matteson 2015]
George Collins- From the singing of Annie Richardson, Murrells Inlet, 1937.
George Collins rode home last Wednesday night
George Collins rode home I say
George Collins rode home last Wednesday night
Was taken sick and died
Mary was sitting in yonder room
A-sewing her silk so fine
But when she heard poor George was dead
She laid it all aside
She followed him low she followed him high
She followed him to his grave
She fell upon her poor bended knees
She weeped, she mourned she prayed
O daughter O daughter why do you so
So many young men a-standing round
O Mama O Mama it makes me weep
To think I've lost a friend
Take off take off the coffin lid
Fold in the sheet so fine
And let me kiss his cold clay lips
For I know he'll never kiss mine