Henery, My Son- McNab (NS) pre1950 Creighton B; Bronson 86.
[My title. From Traditional Songs from Nova Scotia, Creighton and Senior, 1950, version B, pp. 10-11 with music. No date given, Creighton's notes follow.
This ballad is surprisingly rare in Canada, Creighton has two versions and fragment (3), Fowke (1) and Karpeles, Mackenzie, and Greenlief, none.
R. Matteson 2014]
[Henery, My Son]- Sung by Mrs. William McNab, Halifax, Nova Scotia, before 1950.
"What did your sweetheart give you,
Henery my son,
What did your sweetheart give you,
My own dearest one?"
"She gave me little fishes, mother,
Make my bed soon
For I'm sick unto the heart
And I fain would lie down."
"What like unto were the fishes,
Oh Henery my son?
What like unto were the fishes,
My own dearest one?"
"Oh they had speckled bellies,
Mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sick unto the heart
And I fain would lie down."
"What will you give your father,
Oh Henery my son?
What will you give your father,
My own dearest one? "
"My purse and my money,
Mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sick unto the heart
And I fain would lie down. "