Three Little Babes- Gilbert (AR) 1969 Max Hunter
[From Max Hunter Collection Cat. #0768 (MFH #672)
R. Matteson 2015]
Three Little Babes - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on May 26, 1969
VERSE 1
There was a lady, lady-li [1]
Children she had three
She sent them away to a northern school
To learn their grammer-ree
VERSE 2
They hadn't been there but a very short time
Scarclie[2] six months to a day
Till death spread abroad, all over the land
An' swept her three little babes
VERSE 3
Th Christmas time was rolling on
An' the night was dark an' cool
She dreamed she saw, her three little babes
Come running home from school
VERSE 4
She spread the table both long an' wide
On it, put bread and wine
Come eat, come eat, you three little babes
Come eat some broth of mine
VERSE 5
I don't want none of your bread, dear Mother
Nor neither want your wine
For yonder stands our Saviour dear,
To Him we will go join
VERSE 6
She made them a bed, in the back-side-room
On it she spread a white sheet
On the top was a golden one
That they might better sleep
VERSE 7
Rise up, rise up, cried the oldest one
Rise up, rise up, cried three
For yonder stands our Saviour dear,
To Him we must appear
VERSE 8
Cold clods lies under our head, dear Mother
And also, one at our feet
Farewell, farewell, to you, dear Mother
I hope this will end your grief