Loving Henry Lee- J. E. Mainer (NC) c.1968 REC
[From Uncle Jim O’Neal’s Rural Rhythm label; Vol. 15, released c. 1970, probably recorded circa 1968. Based on "Henry Lee" the Columbia recording 3521, sung by Dick Justice, 1929.
J.E. Mainer (b. July 20, 1898, Weaversville, NC; d. Jun. 12, 1971) was an old-time, string band fiddler and band leader. J.E. Mainer and his Mountaineers were one of the most popular string bands of the early '30s.
R. Matteson 2014]
Loving Henry Lee- J.E. Mainer circa 1968.
"Please come in, my Henry Lee, and stay all night with me.
The very best lodging I can afford will be far better than thee."
"I can't get down, and I won't get down, and stay all night with thee,
For the girl I have in the merry green land, I love her better thee."
She leaned herself against a fence, just for a kiss or two;
With a little pen-knife held in her hand, she plugged him through and through.
"Come all ye ladies in the town, a secret for me keep,
With a diamond ring held on my hand I never will forsake."
[Dobro solo]
"Come take him by his lily-white hand, come take him by his feet,
We'll throw him in this deep, deep well, more than one hundred feet.
Lie there, lie there, you Henry Lee, till the flesh drops from your bones,
The girl you have in this merry green land, still waits for your return."
"Fly down, fly down, you little bird, and light on my right knee,
Your cage will be as pure as gold, I'll you feed you properly."
"I can't fly down, or I won't fly down, and light on your right knee.
A girl would murder her own true love, would murder a bird like me."