Little Rosewood Casket

VERSE 1
In a little rosewood casket
That is resting by my stand
There's a package of old letters
Written by a cherished hand

VERSE 2
Well you go an' get them, sister
Will you read them o'er to me
Many times I've tried to read them
But for tears, I could not see

VERSE 3
Now, you've got them all, dear sister
Come set down upon by bed
An' press gently to your bossom
My poor throbbing, aching head

VERSE 4
Read each previous line so slowly
Do not miss, not even a line
For th cherished hand that wrote them
His last work for me has done

VERSE 5
Tell him that I never blamed him
Tho' to me he proved untrue
Tell 'im that I will never forget him
Till this world I bid adieu

VERSE 6
When I'm dead an' in my coffin
And my shroud around me has bound
And my little bed is ready
In th cold an' silent ground

VERSE 7
Take his letters and his locket
An' place them o'er my heart
But th little ring he gave me
From my finger never part

OTHER COLLECTIONS:
Randolph: IV-763 The Little Rosewood Casket
Belden: p. 220 Little Rosewood Casket
Brown: II-273 Little Rosewood Casket

*Editor's note: According to family member R.F. Wrinkle, the name is spelled Wrinkles, not Winkler.
February 8, 2004