Down by the Greenwood Side

Cat. #0277 (MFH #143) - As sung by Mrs. Pearl Brewer, Pocahontas, Arkansas on November 12, 1958

VERSE 1
There was a maid, who had two babes
All alone and lone
She killed those babes and buried 'em under a stone
An' prayed to th Lord, it would never be known
All down by th greenwood side

VERSE 2
This maid was passing by one day
All alone and lone
She saw those babes, both out for play
All down by th greenwood side

VERSE 3
O babes, O babes, if you were mine
All alone and lone
I'd dress you up in silk, so fine
All down by th greenwood side

VERSE 4
O Mother, dear Mother, we once't were yours
All alone and lone
You neither gave us course nor fine
You killed and buried us under a stone
An' prayed to th Lord, it would never be known
All down by th greenwood side

VERSE 5
For seven long years, you shall hear a bell
All alone and lone
And at the end of seven years, you shall land in hell
All down by th greenwood side

Variants