Sir Robin- Swetnam (MS-KY) 1936 Hudson A
[Hudson; Folksongs of Mississippi; 1936. His notes follow.
R. Matteson 2014]
9. YOUNG HUNTING
(Child, No. 68)
Two texts-one of only one stanza-have been recovered. For other American texts, see Campbell and Sharp, No. 15; Cox, No. 9; Davis, No. 17; Reed Smith, No. 41 Sharp, Songs, I, p. 16; Barry, No. 13.
A. Sir Robin- Text recovered by Mr. George F. Swetnam, University, from the singing of his mother, Mrs. Flora Stafford Swetnam, Vaiden, a native of Kentucky.
1 She was walking in the garden one day,
. . . .
And whom should she see but her own father-in-law,
Saying, "Daughter, where's my son?"
2 "He's been a-hunting these three long days.
I expect him home tomorrow;
But if he does not return home again,
My heart will break with sorrow."
3 Up spoke a pretty prattling bird,
. . . .
Saying, "Go and look in the new-drawn well;
Sir Robin there you'll find."
4 "Hold your tongue, pretty Polly," said she,
"And tell no tales on me,
And your cage shall be made of the yellow gold
And hung on your willow tree."
5 "You may keep your cage of gold,
And I will keep my tree,
For you have murdered your own wedded lord,
And so would murder me."
6 They dug, they dug three long summer days;
They dug down deep in the ground,
And there at the bottom of the new-drawn well
Sir Robin there they found.
7. . . .
. . . .
This lady and her merry maidens all
Were hung next market day.