Two Little Sisters- Sistrunk (FL) 1936 Morris B
[From Folksongs of Florida; by Alton Morris, 1950, pp. 235-36 with music. This version is part of a group of ballads that use the Down by the waters rolling" refrain, found in all the (Morris) Florida versions.
R. Matteson 2014]
B. "Two Little Sisters." Recorded in 1936 from the singing of Mrs. Martha L. Sistrunk, White Springs, who learned the song from one of her schoolmates in Hamilton County. It was customary for them to amuse themselves during lunch hour by singing songs and saying speeches to each other, and it was on one of these occasions that she learned the song.
Two little sisters living in the East,
Oleander yolling;
Two little sisters living in the East
Down by the waters rolling.
There was a young man he loved them both,
Oleander yolling;
There was a young man he loved them both
Down by the warers rolling.
He gave the oldest a gay gold ring,
Oleander yolling;
He gave the youngest a gold breast pin
Down by the waters rolling.
Two little sisters crossing of the stream,
Oleander yolling;
Two little sisters crossing of the stream
Down by the waters rolling.
The oldest shoved the youngest in,
Oleander yolling;
The oldest shoved the youngest in
Down by the waters rolling.
"Sister, Sister, hand me your hand,"
Oleander yolling;
"Sister, Sister, hand me your hand,"
Down by the waters rolling"
First she'd sink and then she'd swim,
Oleander yolling;
First she'd sink and then she'd swim
Down by the waters rolling.