Cat. #1594 (MFH #676) - As sung by Ralph Spencer Family, Coal Hill, Arkansas on November 20, 1976
VERSE 1
T'was on one cold wintry night
An' th winds blew across th wild moor
An' Mary came wandering home with her child
An' she came to her own Father's door
VERSE 2
Father, dear Father, she cried
Come down an' open th door
Or th child in my arms, it will perish an' die
By th winds that blow across th wild moor
VERSE 3
O, why did I choose this fair life
For once, I was happy an' free
Now, I'm bounded to roam, without friends or a home
An' no one to take pity on me
VERSE 4
Th Father, was deaf to her cries
Not a sound from her voice, did he hear
Tho' th warmth of his house an' th village bells tolled
An' th wind blew across th wild moor
VERSE 5
O, how the ole man must'a felt
When he came to th door th next morn
An' found Mary dead, but th child still alive
Tightly clasped in its dead Mother's arms
VERSE 6
The old man in grief pined away
An' th child to its Mother went soon
An' no one, they say, has been there to this day
An' th cottage to ruin, has gone
VERSE 7
But th village still points out th spot
Where th willow grows over th door
An' ---- --- -- -- redside, just to give them his pride
An' th wind blew across't th wild moor