George Collins- Thomas (KY) 1917 Sharp MS
[My title. Single stanza with music as Bronson 6, from Sharp MSS., 3986. Notes from Sharp's diary follow,
R. Matteson 2015]
Sharp diary 1917 page 257. Thursday 6 September 1917 - Beattyville, Ky.
We hear there is a gasoline paddle boat which goes down the river to Malowby[?] — 3 miles on our way. So we take this at 8 a.m. & then walk on to the Dunagans buying a parcel of coffee & other dainties to take to the old lady. We get several more songs from her and a neighbour Mrs Thomas who looked in sang us a good version of Queen Jane — my 42nd Child! We like these people very much and sing many songs to them as well as they to us. No boat to help us on our way back so have to tramp it home arriving at 4 p.m. Our dysentery is rather better though Maud has still a good deal of pain. I fancy it is going slowly and that in a day or so we shall be all right. But we are both pretty weakened by it, though our weakness may be partly due to the lack of food. Feeding and accommodation here very indifferent. Can’t get anything done for us.
"George Collins" -Sung by Miss Bessie Thomas (age 10) of Helen's Ky., September 6, 1917.
George Collins rode home one cold winter's night,
George Collins rode home so fine,
George Collins rode home one cold winter's night
And taken sick and died.