The Two Brothers- Gilbert (AR) 1969 Hunter D
[This version is the fourth version of "Edward" from the Max Hunter Folk Song Collection, I've labeled Max Hunter D. Curiously Max Hunter intentionally spelled the word "the " as "th". I assume Hunter did this because he saw that Vance Randolph did th' same thing (only Randolph used an apostrophe as- th' ). I have changed Hunter's grammatical deviations and minor spelling errors.
The Midwest and West has been a repository for Edward, with the Moores (Ballads and Folk Songs of the Southwest) finding 28 versions, and Owens finding several versions in Texas.
Cf. Charles Ingenthron's 1941 version "Little Yellow Dog."
R. Matteson 2014]
The Two Brothers- As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on October 28, 1969 Max Hunter Folk Song Collection
[Listen: http://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/songinformation.aspx?ID=1030]
VERSE 1: How come that blood on your shirt sleeve
Son come tell it to me
It is the blood of my ole gray horse
Plowed the corn for me, me, me
That plowed the corn fer me
VERSE 2
How come that blood on your shirt sleeve
Son come tell it to me
Hit is the blood of my little yeller dog
That follered after me, me, me
That follered after me
VERSE 3
Its to pale for the little yeller dog
Son come tell it to me
It is the blood of my little yeller horse
That rode beside of me, me, me
That rode beside of me
VERSE 4
H'its' to pale for your little yeller horse
Son come tell it to me
It is the blood of my Brother
That rode beside of me, me, me
That rode beside of me
VERSE 5
What did you an' your Brother fall out about
Son come tell it to me
Fell out about a little sprout
That might a made a tree, tree, tree
That might a made a tree
VERSE 6
O, what will you do when your Father come home
Son come tell it to me
I'll step on board on yonders ship
An' sail across the sea, sea, sea
Sail across the sea