The Murdered Boy- Ramsey (KY) 1933 Niles
[From the Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles, 1961(Niles No. 20). It's rare to find a version by Niles that seems completely authentic- this is one of them. Perhaps it's because he collected it with Katherine Pettit, from Pine Mountain School.
R. Matteson 2012, 2014]
The Murdered Boy- Kate Ramsey (Mrs. Brown)-Kingdom Come Valley, KY) 1933 Niles
1. "Oh Brother, dear Brother, pray toss me a stone,
Oh Brother, come play at ball."
"I am too little, I am too young.
Oh Brother, pray let me alone,
Oh Brother, pray let me alone."
2. "Oh Brother, dear Brother, your knife is so keen,
Oh Brother, you've wounded me sore.
. . . . .
. . . .
3. "Oh bury me, Brother, oh bury me deep,
My Bible-book place at my head.
And when I am buried, please place me a rose,
A rose that will bloom out red,
A rose that will bloom out red."