Loving Henry- (AR) 1946 Garrison
[From Arkansas Historical Quarterly - Volumes 5-6 - Page 248; 1946 collected by Garrison; also in Mid-America Folklore - Volume 30 - Page 41 and in Arkansas Folklore Sourcebook by William M. Clements.
No informant could be found with google book search.
R. Matteson 2014]
Loving Henry
Who is that? who is that coming down the road?
Is it William Hall?
No, that is Henry, my own true love,
That's been gone from home so long.
"Get down, get down, Loving Henry," said she,
"And stay all night with me.
The best of wine you'll have to drink
For your good company."
"I won't get down, for I can't get down
And stay all night with you
I'm going to that green valley
Where I stayed all night last night."
She reached over the fence so long
And gave him kisses three;
And in her hand she held a penny knife, "
And she wounded him full deep.
"Ride on, ride on, Loving Henry," said she,
"Beneath the setting sun,
See if there's ary a doctor in old Scott County
Can cure your bleeding wound.
I won't ride on, for I can't ride on
Beneath the setting sun;
For there's nary a doctor in old Scott County
Can cure my bleeding wound.
She rose up at the break of day;
Three close housemaids she called,
Saying, "Here's a dead man in my hall;
I wished he was away."
Some took him by his long, yellow
Some took him by his feet;
And they took him to a far off well,
Full fifty furlow deep.
Up flew a little sweet sparrow
Out of the wood so green,
Saying, "Fare you well, Lord Loving Henry;
You'll never more be seen."
I wish I had my bow all bent,
My arrow and my string;
I'd soar a shaft through your little breast,
And you ne'er no more would sing.