Rainbow Willow

Cat. #0750 (MFH #369) - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on May 26, 1969

VERSE 1
I dreamed last night of my true love
All in my arms I held her
When I woke, it was a dream
I had to lay without her

VERSE 2
Her long yellow hair, like strings of gold
Come a dangling 'round my pillow
It was th girl that I love so well
Her name was, Rainbow Willow

VERSE 3
I 'rose next morning, put on my clothes
De-terming I would find her
I rode those hills an' valleys thru
But never did I find her

VERSE 4
I rode till I came, to her Uncle's hall
Inquiring for my darling
He answered me, he answered me
I have no such in keeping

VERSE 5
She heered my voice in another room
An' whispered thru her window
Saying, wouldn't be here, in prison alone
If locks an' bolts didn't hinder

VERSE 6
I broke those locks and I bent those bolts
An' I sent them all asunder
I'm in th room with my true love
An' I'll die before I'll leave her

VERSE 7
Her Uncle an' a-nother man
Come walking in together
Saying, get out, get out, get out of here
Or in your blood, you'll wallow

VERSE 7
I took my sword in my right hand
My true love by the other
I marched her thru, her Uncle's hall
WIth all her looks an' pleasure

VERSE 9
Then we joined right hand
In th wedlock band
And we lived in peace forever

Variants