The Brown Girl- Reba (Mo.) 1941 Randolph G
[Short version with music from Vance Randolph's Ozark Folksongs, vol. 1- Ballads, 1946.
R. Matteson 2012, 2014]
G. The Brown Girl- Sung by Miss Reba and Miss Wilma McDonald, Farmington, Ark., Oct. 6, 1941. Randolph G
Come riddle to me, dear mother,
Come say to me your mind.
Whether I shall marry fair Ellender,
Or bring the brown girl home?
The brown girl she has house and land,
Fair Ellender she has none,
If I were at the all of my blessings
I'd bring the brown girl home.
She dressed herself in satin and silk,
And her waiting cap all of green,
And every city that she passed through
She was taken to be a queen.
She rode till she come to Lord,Thomas's hall,
Stood proudly at the ring,
There was none so ready as Lord Thomas himself
To arise and let her in.
The brown girl had a little pen knife,
It being both keen and sharp,
And there before the ladies all
She pierced fair Ellender's heart
What's the matter? What's the matter? Lord Thomas he cried,
You're looking wonderful pale.
I think I feel my own heart's blood
Come trinkling down my knee.
Lord Thomas having a glittering sword,
It being both long and tall,
And he cut off his own bride's head
And slammed it against the wall.
He placed the handle against the floor
And the point against his breast,
Saying here are three loves going to death,
Lord send their souls to rest.
Oh father, father, dig my grave,
Dig it both wide and deep,
Ana bury fair Ellender in my arms
And the brown girl at my feet.