The Brown Girl- Davis(CA) 1923 Sonkin/Charles REC
[From Shafter FSA Camp; Library of Congress recording, 1940- made by Charles Todd and Robert Sonkin. Text written out by a cousin of Mrs. Davis, Miss Nina Hudson, when she was 13 (17 years ago).
Minor spelling corrections made.
R. Matteson 2014]
THE BROWN GIRL- Sung by Mrs. O. C. Davis Shafter, California written down in 1923; recorded in 1940
Oh Mother oh Mother, unriddle[1] your sports
Unriddle them all for me
Whether I shall marry Fair Ellen dear
Or bring the Brown girl home.
The Brown girl has both money and land
Fair Ellen she has none
I charge you on my blessed son
Go bring the brown girl home.
Go saddle up my milk white horse
Go bring mine close to me
And I'll write Fair Ellen[2] dear
Unto my Wedding day.
He rode till he got to Ellen's gate
And rattled on the reins
There was none so ready as Ellen herself
To rise and Welcome him in.
Oh what's the matter Lord Thomas cried,
Oh I have come to invite you to my wedding day
Along tomorrow eve.
She dressed her self in scarlet red
Her waist was trimmed in Green
And ever house that she passed by
She was taken to be some queen.
She rode till she got to Thomas gate
And rattled on the reins
There was none so ready as Thomas his self
To rise and welcome her in.
He took her by the lily white hand
And lead her through the hall
And set her down to the head of the table
Among the ladies all.
Oh is this your bride that sits by year side
She is brown, she's very Brown
You should have married a fairer girl
That ever walked the ground.
The Brown girl had a little pen knife
So keen so very sharp
She plunged it at Fair Ellen's side,
In entered to her heart.
Oh wants the matter Fair Ellen cried he
Oh wants the matter with thee.
Oh can't you see my heart's over flowing
Over flowing blood for thee.
He took the Brown girl by the hand
And lead her in the hall
Took out his knife cut off her head
And kicked it against the wall.
And put the handle in the wall
The blade into his heart
Says this is the last of these three lovers
That god is drifting apart.
Oh Mother Oh Mother go dig my grave
Dig it both broad and deep
And bury Fair Ellen in my arms
And the Brown girl at my feet.
And plant a rose bush at my head
And a brier at my feet
And let them tangle together for ever
And tie a true lovers knot.
1. originally unrittle
2. Ellen is spelled a variety of ways, Eellan etc.