Lost Henry

Cat. #0272 (MFH #589) - As sung by Allie Long Parker, Eureka Springs, Arkansas on November 5, 1958

VERSE 1
Come back, come back, my dear lost Henry
Come back, come back, I'll go with you
Go way down yonder, in that lone valley
And there we'll spend our months and years

VERSE 2
We'll eat of nothing but weeping willow
And drink of nothing but flowin' tears
He being on th roadside near her
A hearing of his true love's voice

VERSE 3
He ran, he ran, like one distracted
Saying, my love you are quite low
O, go love, go, and ask your Mother
If you this night, my bride can be

VERSE 4
If she says no, come quick an' tell me
It'll be th last time, I'll trouble you
O no, O no, I won't go ask my Mother
For she lies on her bed of rest

VERSE 5
And in one hand she holds a letter
That tells about my poor disgrace
Then, go love go, and ask your Father
If you this night, my bride can be

VERSE 6
If he says no, come quick and tell me
It'll be th last time I'll trouble thee
O no, O no, I won't go ask my Father
For he lies on his bed of rest

VERSE 7
And in one hand he holds a dagger
To kill th one that I love best
Then, he pulled out a silver dagger
And pierced it thru her lily white breast

VERSE 8
These words she spoke, just as she staggered
Farewell my love, I'm going to rest
Prepare to meet me on Mount Zion
Where all our joys will be complete

VERSE 9
Then, he picked up th bloody weapon
And pierced it thru his own true heart
Saying, let this be a fearful warning
To parents who, true lovers part

Variants