The Cruel Mother- Henneberry Devil's Island, Nova Scotia; pre1932
[From Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia by Helen Creighton, with music. Henneberry was one of Creighton's best informants, his son continued the tradition. Her notes follow.
R. Matteson 2012, 2014]
Sung by Mr. Ben Henneberry, Devil's Island, who, when he sings this song, swings his right arm back and forth as the line repeats, " Down by the greenwood siding." The word "siding" is long drawn out.
The Cruel Mother- Dan Henneberry (Nova Scotia) pre1932; From Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia by Helen Creighton
There was a lady came from York,
All alone and a-loney,
She fell in love with her father's clerk,
Down by the greenwood siding.
She loved him well, she loved him long,
All alone and a-loney,
Till at length this young maid with child she did prove,
Down by the greenwood siding.
She leaned back against her yoke,
All alone and a-loney,
When first it bowed and then it broke,
Down by the greenwood siding.
She leaned herself against a thorn
All alone and a-loney,
And there her two pretty babes were born
Down by the greenwood siding.
She had nothing to wrap them in,
All alone and a-loney,
But her apron. It was thin,
Down by the greenwood siding.