Love Henry- Uhis (TX) 1932 Dobie
[From Dobie, 1932, Tone the Bell Easy. His notes follow.
R. Matteson 2014]
Young Hunting
(Child, No. 68)
"Love Henry," a short fragmentary version of the long Child ballad, "Young Hunting," was contributed by Edison Uhis. This Texas version is very similar to a West Virginia version recorded by J. H. Cox (op. cit. No. 9 B.). In the West Virginia ballad "the girl left behind" is in India land. I wonder how she got to Arkansas !
1. "Come in, come in, Love Henry," she said,
"And stay all night with me."
"I can't come in, Lady Margaret," he said,
And stay all night with you,
For the girl that I love's in the Arkansas land"
So long, I am going home."
{Repeat last two lines"}
As they were leaning over the fence,
Taking kisses sweet,
Then she held a keen penny knife in her hand
And wounded him full deep.
"Live, live, live, Love Henry," she said,
"One-half an hour Longer."
"I can't live, live, Lady Margaret," he said,
"One half an hour longer,
For my own heart's blood goes twinkling to the ground.
So long, I am going home."
"Come down, come down, my pretty little parrot,
And sit upon my knee,"
"I can't come down, Lady Margaret," it said,
"And sit upon your knee,
For you murdered your own true love
And I'm afraid you might murder me."
(The rest of the ballad could not be recalled)