Golden Willow Tree- Gilbert (AR) 1969 Max Hunter
[From: Max Hunter Folk Song Collection, edited for punctuation and spelling.]
Golden Willow Tree- As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on May 26, 1969
Listen: http://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/songinformation.aspx?ID=0747
VERSE 1
There was a little ship on South A-meri-key
Went by the name of the Golden Willow Tree
As it sailed on the low an' the lonesome low
As it sailed on the lonesome sea
VERSE 2
There was another ship from the north count-tree
Went by the name of the British Revillie
As it sailed on the low an' the lonesome low
As it sailed on the lonesome sea
VERSE 3
O, kind Captain, what will you give me
If I'll drowned them British Revillie
If I'll sink 'em in the low an' the lonesome low
If I'll sink 'em in the lonesome sea
VERSE 4
I'll give you gold, I'll give you fee
Beside my oldest daughter I'll marry unto thee
If you'll sink 'em in the low an' the lonesome low
If you'll sink 'em in the lonesome sea
VERSE 5
Away swum he an' away swum thee
Till he overtaken the British Revillie
As it sailed on the low an' the lonesome low
As it sailed on the lonesome sea
VERSE 6
He begin t' bring the holes and let'n in juice
Some with their hats an' some with their caps
Tryin' t' stop the salty water gaps
For he sank 'em in the low an' the lonesome low
For be sank 'em in the lonesome sea
VERSE 7
Well, away swum he an' way swum thee
Till he overtaken the golden Willow Tree
As it sailed on the low an' the lonesome low
As it sailed on the lonesome sea
VERSE 8
My ole kind Captain, be as good as your word
Take the poor cabin boy on board
Who sunk 'em in the low an' the lonesome low
Who sunk 'em in the lonesome sea.
VERSE 9
I'll not be as good as my word
I won't take the poor cabin boy on board
Who sunk 'em in the low an' the lonesome low
Who sunk 'em in the lonesome sea
VERSE 10
O kind Captain, it'd be a shame
If wasn't for your oldest daughter I'd serve you the same
I'd sink you in low an' the lonesome low
Sink you in the lonesome sea