Sons of Columbia

Cat. #0011 (MFH #562) - As sung by Mrs. Allie Long Parker, Eureka Springs, Arkansas on January 14, 1958

VERSE 1
Sons of Columbia, your attention I will call
To a sorrowful story I will tell
It happened here of late, in the Indiana state
Of a hero, there's none can excell

VERSE 2
Like Samson, he courted th choice of th fair
With intentions of making her his wife
But, fatal was th blow for it proved his overthrow
It cost him his honor an' his life

VERSE 3
A golden ring he gave her, a token of his love
And on it was the image of a dove
They essentially agreed to get married, be with speed
And was promised by th powers above

VERSE 4
This fickle hearted maid, again agreed to wed
Young Warren, who lived in this place
Like Dilila of the fair, his heart she did ensnare
Which proved to his shame and disgrace

VERSE 5
When young Fuller he did hear, he's deprived of his dear
For his heart with his darling was bound
With his heart full of woe, unto Warren he did go
Assuming unto Warren he said,

VERSE 6
Young man, you have injured me to gratify your cause
By report you have left a prudent wife
Ecknowledge you have wrong'd me, although I'll break th law
O, Warren, I'll deprive you of your life

VERSE 7
Young Warren did reply, your request must be denied
For my heart with your darling is bound
An' further I can say, that this is my wedding day
In spite of all th hero's of the town

VERSE 8
Young Fuller in a passion of love and anger bound
Which alas, caused many for to cry
With one fatal shot, he killed Warren on th spot
Smiling, Lord, now I'm willing for to die

VERSE 9
Young Fuller was condemed by the honorable court
Of Lordsburg an' Darby for to die
The egnaminious death, for to swing above the earth
For to swing on th gallows so high

VERSE 10
Ten thousand or more spectators that smote upon their breath
And th guards dropped a tears from their eye
Saying, cursed be to she, who caused this misery
Would to God in his fit, she had to die

VERSE 11
But, there's one consellation that will have to be remembered
While th gallows hangs climbing o'er his head
He believed and was baptized, and from sin he was set free
And his spirit to glory, did fly

VERSE 12
Th time did draw nigh, when young Fuller had to die
With a smile he bid the audience adieu
Like an angel he did stand, for he was a handsome man
On his breast he wore ribbons of blue

VERSE 13
Of all the ancient histories that we can understand
The scripture we are bound to believe
That women were essentially th downfall of men
As Adam was beguiled by Eve

VERSE 14
So, marriage is the lottery and few that gain th prize
Is pleasing to the ear and to the eye
So, those that never marry are well to be called wise
So, ladies and gentlemen, goodbye

Allie learned this song from her father, Mr. Jim Long.

Variants